Alex Coomber
The Strawberry Line. Yatton to Witham. Opened between 1858 and 1875. Closed in 1963. Yatton, Congresbury, Sandford & Banwell, Winscombe, Axbridge, Cheddar, Draycott, Lodge Hill, Wookey, Wells Tucker Street, Wells Priory Road, Shepton Mallet, Mendip Vale, Cranmore, Wanstrow and Witham. Although opened in stage's between 1859 and 1870. The railway between Yatton and Witham via Cheddar and Wells did not become a through route until 1878. In that year. A little local problem in the latter city involving running powers over a short stretch of line was finally resolved. Transporting milk and seasonal produce such as strawberries were the lines lifeblood thus giving it the affectionate nickname of the Strawberry Line. Since closure to passengers in 1963. The western section of this route has more recently been reopened as a footpath and cycleway while the Eastern Section is very much alive for Stone Traffic and a heritage railway.
