The London and Birmingham Railway – Roade Cutting
Of the numerous challenges which Robert Stephenson faced during the construction of the London & Birmingham railway, Roade Cutting remains one of the most visibly awe-inspiring engineering achievements of the nation’s railway infrastructure. It is the timeless legacy which Stephenson and his engineers left to our village and the nation.
The construction of Roade Cutting was a major engineering feat which enabled the opening of the London and Birmingham Railway. It was designed and supervised by Robert Stephenson. The 1½ mile cutting was officially opened on Monday 17 September 1838, following four and a half years of arduous and accident-ridden construction.
The coming of the railway had a profound effect on the future social and economic growth of the community. The following prophecy was included in a “Handbook for Railway Travellers along the London and Birmingham Railway” published in 1839:
‘About this spot we leave the county of Buckinghamshire and enter that of Northampton and, passing rapidly over a lofty embankment of about a mile in length, which divides the village of Ashton in two parts, shortly arrive at the Roade Station. The little village of Roade, which lies close to the railway, has suddenly been invested with all the bustle and activity of a town; and will, no doubt, enjoy increasing consequence and prosperity from its locality to this great line of communication. This is one of numerous instances which could be adducted, of the great benefit which a Railway confers upon towns near which it is formed; and amidst the changes which are thus originated, many places heretofore have been comparatively unknown will become towns of considerable extent.’
Find out more about the cutting in Chris Hillyard’s ‘Cutting Remarks’ publication. here
Designation as a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’ in 1986 ensured its protection as an asset of National Geological Significance. In 2018 its engineering excellence was recognised with the award of a prestigious ‘Red Wheel’ by the Transport Trust, designating it a ‘National Transport Heritage Site’. The Cutting enabled the completion of the world’s first long-distance inter-city railway, which was officially opened on Monday 17th September 1838. Click here for more information about the Red Wheel
A two-day grand exhibition celebrating the 180th anniversary of the opening of the London & Birmingham Railway was held at Roade Village Hall on the 8th and 9th September 2018. RLHS welcomed exhibitors from a variety of national and local railway societies. Strong additional support came from local history, industrial archaeology and transport heritage organisations and many local community groups and individuals. We were very grateful for financial support from Northamptonshire Community Foundation, Milton Keynes Heritage Association and local sponsors.
The principal RLHS exhibit was a model of the Cutting, former Station and diverse railway infrastructure. The model is indicative of the village’s social and economic development since the railway came to the locality in the 1830s. It was made by Society members, local artisans, artists, technical specialists and Elizabeth Woodville School staff and students. The model was accompanied by a series of display boards about the history of the Cutting and its impact on the community.
Click here to see some photos of the model.