A set of train wheels and a short run of railway track has this week been installed next to a Highbridge roundabout to act as a lasting reminder of the town’s long railway history.
The new ‘monument’ was officially unveiled on Wednesday morning (March 9th) next to a roundabout in Isleport, Highbridge.
Local businessman Mike Lawrence, whose business interests include road haulage of large locomotives, has donated the wheels free of charge to Burnham and Highbridge Town Council after being approached by Cllr Pat Burge.
Wednesday’s unveiling followed a long-running saga over the location of the wheels which has lasted almost three years.
Cllr Neville Jones told Burnham-On-Sea.com: “I know people feel it has taken a very long while to take this offer up and place it in an attractive location.”
“However, Somerset County Council has vetoed over the years three suggested locations. Talks between the Town Council and Highways Department have concluded with the bogey wheels being installed at the side of a very important roundabout in Highbridge.”
He added: “We are extremely grateful to Mike Lawrence who has had the Bogey Wheels shot blasted and re-painted and also provided the railway line on which they have been mounted.”
The set of wheels were unveiled by their donor Mike Lawrence and town councillors Pat Burge, Neville Jones and Phoebe Harling, as pictured.
It is the intention of the Town Council at a later date to place a plaque by the wheels recalling Highbridge’s important railway past. This could form part of next year’s Jubilee celebrations.
