A four page document sent, by W.O. and W. Hunt, to relevant landowners informing them of a proposed alteration to the line of the South Wales Railway

1845. Unbound. Very Good. SOUTH WALES RAILWAY. A four page document sent, by W.O. and W. Hunt, to relevant landowners informing them of a proposed alteration to the line of the South Wales Railway which will affect their lands, and require their consent. There is a double page 'schedule' form, noting by hand their names, The Dean and Chapter of Gloucester, and the Severn Navigation Company. Docket title on the rear page. Very good condition, light original fold lines. folio. 1st December 1845. ~ The South Wales Railway was proposed in 1844, encouraged by the Great Western Railway; it was to run from Standish, south-east of Gloucester, to South Wales. There would have been a bridge across the Severn at Fretherne. However it was argued by opponents that this would impede shipping intending to reach Bullo Pill, and to avoid the opposition the promoters of the South Wales Railway agreed to purchase the Forest of Dean Railway for £30,000 and improve it, providing a new branch line to the Severn at Brimspill. In the event, for unconnected reasons the South Wales Railway Act of 1845 authorised only the section westward from Chepstow, and the crossing of the Severn was omitted. The changes noted in this present document is for an extension from Chepstow to Gloucester, and a branch railway to within the Forest of Dean. The South Wales Railway proprietors had confirmed on 31 October 1845 the agreement for conditional purchase of the Forest of Dean Railwa.