Bygone era of the train could be recreated at Beal
Artist impression of Beal station goodsyard
IT IS more than 40 years since Beal for Holy Island Station closed but fading memories of a bygone era could soon be rekindled.
Plans have been lodged to install five railway carriages in the former goods yard and turn them into bed and breakfast holiday accommodation.
Landowner Harry Meers, who already has a 1611 steam locomotive on site, hopes the idea will prove particularly popular with rail enthusiasts.
He said: “The proposal is to introduce five railway carriages and position them behind the locomotive to give the impression of a 1920s style train and use them as bed and breakfast accommodation for holiday stopovers.
“The idea is not original for the UK but we believe it is a first for Northumberland and would bring something different to the tourism offer in the Berwick area.
“Similar ventures seem to have worked well in Yorkshire and further south so I’m hopeful it will prove popular here.
“We’re still battling through the planning process and there are still one or two hurdles to overcome but we’re hoping it will be approved.
“We certainly don’t feel it would look out of place as the site, being the old Beal for Holy Island Station, runs along the east coast main line.
“For this reason we feel it will attract rail enthusiasts as well as visitors just wanting something different within Northumberland.”
The site, which Mr Meers has owned for around seven years, currently comprises a car park, large garden area, plants, a shelter, workshop, polytunnels and secure storage for equipment.
“It’s the old staton goods yard which for some reason was pulled down some time in the 1970s or 1980sm to make way for a bridge which was never built,” he revealed.
The proposed accommodation would be for adults only and Mr Meers envisages no more than 15 vehicles coming on site each day.
He said: “The existing parking area will suffice, although it will need to be skimmed and more loose chippings applied to bring it up to a good standard. A new entrance will also be necessary.”
He is currently sourcing some old railway carriages which he plans to convert into accommodation including a double bedroom, bath or shower, toilet, small dining and sitting area and small kitchen.
“The accommodation itself will not be five star,” admitted Mr Meers, “but it will be tasteful and comfortable with a railway theme throughout dating back to the 1920s.”
There is no electricity supply on site and Mr Meers is investigating renewable options before going down the path of mains electric.
Beal for Holy Island Station closed in January 1968, a victim of the Beeching cuts which also resulted in Belford shutting.
While there are plans to reopen Belford, Mr Meers believes the council and rail authorities are missing a trick by not looking at Beal.
Mr Meers said: “I’m surprised it was ever closed when you look at the old documents and see the passenger figures, most of whom were going on to Holy Island.
“I’ve got old photographs which show the platform chocablock with visitors over the summer months. Maybe the local authority need to look at restoring the platform because I’m sure there would still be demand for a local train service to Beal.
“I live on Tyneside myself and know how difficult it is to get to Holy Island using public transport so if there was a link, perhaps extending the service which currently runs to Chathill and Belford when it reopens it would be ideal.”
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Berwick-Upon-Tweed
Thursday 24 May 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 20 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
