A Burnham-On-Sea project set-up to celebrate the town’s railway heritage by introducing a set of train buffers in the town has this week been celebrating a double dose of good news.
A planning application to introduce the buffers on the corner of Pier Street has been given approval by town councillors – and £1,000 has been donated towards the scheme by Somerset County Council.
As first reported here, the Burnham Buffer Stop Memorial Project hopes to install a set of old railway buffers in Pier Street, where the town’s former railway line previously ended.
Members of the town council’s Planning Applications Committee this week considered the scheme, where the plans were approved.
And County Councillors Peter Burridge-Clayton and John Woodman have each given £500 towards the scheme and start of the history walking trail to start at the buffers from the council’s health and wellbeing budget.
Peter said: “I am delighted we are able to contribute towards this very worthwhile scheme. I am sure the history trail will encourage residents and visitors alike to walk around our local area and visit points of historical interest. I am aware our local schools are also participating in this scheme and I hope the children find it interesting and educational.”
The Burnham Buffer Stop Memorial Project’s leader, John Strickland, welcomed the two news, and told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “This is a great news and another key milestone towards getting the buffers installed.”
The project group – comprising of John Strickland, Terry Temlett and Ann Popham – hope to install the buffers later this year at the corner of Pier Street and The Esplanade.
John added: “We’ve been working on the project for over three years – the support and interest has been very encouraging but we need residents’ help to ensure the buffer stop gets installed and is in place as soon as possible to form the start of our forthcoming Heritage Trail around Burnham.”
Collecting tins are placed at the S&D Pub, Wetherspoons, The Royal Clarence, GW Hurley’s newsagents, The Railway Hotel. Cheques can also be made payable to ‘Burnham Buffer Stop Memorial’ and sent to 1 Wordsworth Close, Burnham-On-Sea, TA8 2QB.
