Plans to re-introduce a set of railway buffers in Burnham-On-Sea to celebrate the town’s rail heritage have been given a boost.
As 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.
The project has been boosted by a decision by Burnham and Highbridge Town Council to take on ownership of the buffers when they have been installed.
Organiser John Strickland, from the Project Steering Group of North Sedgemoor Local History Group, told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “We are very pleased that at their latest full council meeting, the Town Council has agreed to accept ownership of the buffers once they are installed.”
“This agreement resolves a significant obstacle and is an important step in moving the project forward.”
“The buffers have been renovated with a new beam, painted and assembled and are now ready for installation.”
“Their installation, on the pebbled area between the car park and Pier Street, is very near to where the original Somerset & Dorset Railway Buffers were.”
“We hope this memorial will prompt local residents to think back to the time of the sounds and smells of the steam engines in Burnham, and to encourage holidaymakers to seek more about our town’s history and for children to ask ‘what was that thing for?'”
John added: “We now have to wait for the legal process to be completed. We are hopeful that permission will be obtained very soon as this year marks 160 years since the first train arrived in Burnham.”
