NOSTALGIA: Bedhampton crossing as you've never seen it before

In the picture, above,Â we are at the junction of what was Bedhampton Road, in the foreground, and New Road. On the right is Bedhampton level crossing with the roof of the signal box aboveÂ the fence. The horse and cart are emerging from New RoadÂ built in the days of Sir George Staunton of Leigh Park House fame.

The corner of New Road and Bedhampton Road, Bedhampton, circa 1920 with a derelict house ready to be demolished. Picture: Barry Cox

To get to Farlington Sir George had to crossÂ two level crossings, Stockheath and Bedhampton. SoÂ he had a road built from Stockheath Lane to Bedhampton Road running parallel with the railway. Although calledÂ New Road as it was a new road, I'veÂ been told it was named after a Mr New,Â the overseer of works.

As traffic increasedÂ this junctionÂ needed changingÂ and,Â below,Â the house on the corner has goneÂ and the junction is being widened. Later this became a T-junction with traffic heading for Havant passing over the level crossing having right of way.Â

In the late 1970s the junction was transformedÂ allowing traffic from New Road right of way. Traffic heading to Havant hadÂ to wait until the road was clear before passing over the level crossing.

The signal box was decommissioned in JuneÂ 1979 justÂ after the continental barriers, as they were then called, replaced the old gates.