In his latest column for Radstock Nub News, mayor Rupert Bevan goes off, and on the rails.

Whilst people are reeling at the prospect of washing their hands to multiple renditions of 'Happy Birthday to You,' other matters deserving attention have slipped through almost unnoticed.

One of these is the welcome news that the Government has decided to lift the whole matter of local rail transport up a notch or two and has instituted a programme called the Reverse Beeching Fund.

The intention is to support applications from local railway companies and societies who have serious ideas about restoring disused bits of track and reconnecting to the main line so that many more people can take advantage of the national rail network and leave their cars at home.

Our local Community Interest Company, the North Somerset Railway Co has applied and even if it fails to secure any money, will at least have registered on the radar of the Department for Transport, the body administering the scheme.

The advantages to the people of Radstock are manifold. For those who work outside the Somer Valley in towns like Bath, Bristol, Swindon and Trowbridge it will spell the end of queuing, of road rage and of multifarious expletives that exasperated drivers utter whilst inching forward through Radstock and Odd Down. As it says in an old prayer book,' what was once a troublous burden becomes a privilege and a joy!' 

As is well known, Westbury is the centre of the world in terms of rail connections. Imagine the possibility of taking the 16.25 from Radstock, arriving in Paddington for a West-End show- and returning that same night!

Then there is the welcome proposition of house values rising because of the proximity of the railway station.