What might have been – proposed extensions
Several proposals for extensions or connections were made but nothing came of them.
For more details see The Weston, Clevedon & Portishead Light Railway by Colin Maggs (new edition available here) and/or The Weston, Clevedon & Portishead Railway by Christopher Redwood (out of print).
Connection to Weston-super-Mare tramway system
There were two proposals to connect the WC&PLR with Weston’s tram system:
- Weston-super-Mare & District Electric Supply Company's electric tramway to be extended 25 chains from Locking Road along Ashcombe Road to the WC&PR terminus.
- A link built from an end-on junction with the Locking Road tramway to join the WC&PLR near Milton Road
An independent company The Weston-super-Mare Junction Light Railway Company was set up in 1910 for this purpose but neither scheme was taken forward.
Extension to Edington Junction on S&DJR
A 12 mile line from Weston on the WC&PR to Edington Junction on the S&D Joint Railway was considered by the WC&PR Secretary, but this was never pursued. The GWR at one time was said to have been interested in buying the WC&PR to prevent the S&DJR extending from Edington Junction to Weston.
Cadbury Light Railway Company
When a proposal to re-open a coal pit near Clapton Court in the Gordano Valley was made, the Cadbury Light Railway Company was planned to form a 1.5 mile connection between the mine and the WC&PLR. A triangular junction near Black Rock Quarry sidings would have allowed through running to Portishead or Clevedon.
The plan was scotched by objections of Clevedon RDC to road crossings.