Current Condition
After being closed, most of the line was sold off or gifted back to the original private landowners.
North beyond Stoke Prior Halt, the track ran parallel for over a mile to the Shrewsbury and Hereford line, which was later redeveloped as part of the Leominster bypass.
| Arches at Broad Dingle Viaduct |
Suckley to Knightwick section  |
Of the stations, Steen’s Bridge has been redeveloped as a housing estate, with semi-detached bungalows built along the line of the platforms edge. Fencote and Rowden Mill stations still stand and are in private ownership. Bromyard station forms part of the Bromyard Industrial Estate, the track being used as an access road. From Bromyard heading east the Linton Light Railway has used the track route to build a narrow-gauge railway, some 0.8 of a mile in length up to the Linton Trading Estate. Some 3.8 miles further on we reach Suckley Station which is now a private residence although it has managed to retain its station look. After which the track arcs westward to skirt Knightwick, although the station named Knightwick stands just off the Lulsley/Alfrick road. The track follows roughly the course of the River Teme on its way to Leigh Court, having to resort to Viaducts at Broad Dingle and Hayley Dingle to maintain its elevation over the flood plain before dropping down to Leigh Court. This station now a derelict shell covered in ivy.
The route then heads easterly toward its intersection with the Worcester Malvern line just beyond Bransford bridge, havingintersected the current Bransford Webbs Nursery
Crossing the A4103 at Bransford  |
Currently we estimate there to be over 50 landowners. The route is not a public right of way on any of its sections other than small parts that form roadways in Bromyard. Many of the bridges have either been demolished or filled in, but many sections of trackway are still walkable today.
Much of the route of the line is still distinguishable, being used for farm or domestic access roads, or routes between field and farm. Many bridges and underpasses still stand and seem to be in a stable condition. Others have fallen into disrepair or have been demolished altogether to allow higher vehicular access, although many still have their side walls and ramparts. The two viaducts have suffered, with only the arches still visible in one case. The route itself is in large part passable, although some stretches will need clearing, mostly ash trees and bramble. Some of the cuttings are similarly overgrown and will need some sort of drainage solution to ensure all year-round use.
