The Barlaston Wall

‘WHEN the Berlin Wall was erected overnight in 1961, it not only split the city in two but divided families and friends who were not reunited for another three decades.

Barlaston 2017

However, what the Soviets can do Ralitrack can also do – and this morning’s Telegraph reports how villagers in Barlaston, Staffordshire now know how Berliners felt.

Railway maintenance work on the West Coast mainline has meant the closure of the only level crossing, cutting one half of the village off from the other.

The only way to get from one side of the tracks to the other is by a 10-mile drive or an hour long bus journey.

”On the east side of the village there is a pub, post office, village hall and a school,” explains the paper, ”while on the west there is a garage, pub, butcher and newsagent.”

Understandably, the 2,000 residents are less than happy with the arrangement.

”It’s a ridiculous situation,” says parish councillor Peter Proctor. ”It’s so frustrating seeing the shops just yards away and having to drive miles in order to get to them.”

Even worse for Sue Jones whose son Rory goes to school on the other side of the railway line.

”I work evenings and used to nip out to pick Rory up after school,” she says, ”but it’s an hour’s bus journey and I can’t disappear from work for two hours.”

The barriers on the level crossing are due to remain down for four months while the work’s being carried out – but, given the way of these things, residents should start preparing for a Berlin-like separation.

‘

Posted: 22nd, May 2003 | In: Broadsheets Comment | TrackBack | Permalink