Dear Sir,
On the 26th September, after months and months of hype and readiness, it was one of those precious moments as the Locomotion No.1 replica set off from Shildon, marking 200 years since the beginning of the modern-day railway as we know it. The eyes of the world were upon us, just like in 1825. A hundred years later, thousands of people ascended onto the banks and bridges of the world’s most important railway, as they did in 1975 for the 150th. As the next anniversary drew near, the big 200, it became apparent that the celebrations will be different this time, but there will be a re-enactment journey of Locomotion No.1. Although Newton Aycliffe is a new town, 200 years ago, the essence of what became the town did exist; many smallholdings, cottages and farms, two of which featured on George Stephenson’s own handwritten survey, so, truth be known, there were actually people here to witness that 1st journey, but now there’s many more who were ready to celebrate local heritage that changed the world. It came as a major blow when, on the eve of the journey, public access to view Loco No.1 was NOT going to be possible at undesignated locations. All access to Newton Aycliffe station, bridges and footpaths will be closed, in other words, you are not invited, for ‘safety reasons’. Absolute rubbish! We have possibly the best and safest viewing points of the entire route! There is a cycle path, aptly named Locomotion Way, which has an excellent and very safe close-up view. This could’ve been used for a lot more people, schools, or even colliery brass bands, to parade in celebration of the railway that did so much for County Durham. There would’ve been no risk if properly managed proactively. It would’ve been very memorable for all. Despite the ‘Hi-Viz brigade’, some of us did get to see the epic 41 seconds of the Locomotion replica chuffing its way on our track, formally known as Simpasture, which was a game changer in George’s re-survey, avoiding a very expensive tunnel at School Aycliffe, which would’ve prevented George’s locomotive from ever happening. The question is; why be so restrictive? Why was our town shunned away? This was a once in a lifetime opportunity, for so many, but it’s now left a sour taste. Why? Why kill the joy? Why let us all down at the last-minute?
Name and address supplied.