Highley
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
  Map sources for Highley at grid reference SO740836
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Highley is a large village in Shropshire, England, on the west bank of the River Severn and on the B4555 road. It forms part of Bridgnorth District. The Royal Mail postcode begins WV15 or WV16.
Highley began as a farming community, including an entry in the Doomesday Book, but in the late 1800s the village was revolutionised by coal mining. A period of intense house-building also followed, giving Highley its distinctive red-brick terraced houses. In the 1930s, the mine was extended to the neighbouring village of Alveley across the river Severn. Both an underground tunnel and a bridge were constructed between the two villages. This was the only public bridge capable of taking light motor vehicles for eight miles either upstream or downstream; however, this bridge was primarily for mine tramway traffic.
The mine closed in the late 1960s due to subsidence and waterlogging. The bridge remained open to bridleway traffic only, again due to subsidence from the steep valley sides. The mine area on the Alveley (east) side was converted into an industrial estate in the late 1960s, and then the Severn Valley Country Park in the late 1980s. Initially this was as an exercise to use trees to shore up the coal spoils, and later as a tourist destination. Shortly after 2000, the bridge was declared unsafe and a new footbridge began to be constructed.
Highley houses the Severn Centre, a sports and leisure complex complete with heated lido (open-air swimming pool) that also includes the local library. There is also a golf course, a sculpture trail plus several restaurants and pubs. A Steam Heritage Centre has been proposed.
Highley also boasts two stops on the Severn Valley Railway. In addition to providing tourism, the steam railway is also considered a commuter service due to a discount scheme for local residents. Indeed, the steam trains are often more reliable than the busses. Also this station has great character and id well looked after a wonderful place to visit. With an all volunteer staff they obviously take pride in their work.
The main railway stop is a substantial and very picturesque red-brick Victorian railway station. The station is also home to museum of village life, housed within a vintage post office sorting carriage. Down a small flight of steps from Highley railway station is the Ship Inn, and from there a public footpath leads back to the Country Park.
The other stop is a minor unmanned request halt near the bridge for the Country Park. Due to the stopping distances involved in flagging down a steam train, passengers wishing to board the train at the Country Park halt are advised to telephone the railway office in advance, and those wishing to alight are advised to speak to the train driver in person. In theory, however, one can just stand on the platform and hold out one's hand, as if hailing a bus (please note that the injury sustained from hitting a steam train is likely to be significantly more serious than that from hitting a bus).
Highley has a significantly sized population (for Shropshire) of around five thousand, but is beset by transport problems due to the lack of a road bridge, resulting in an unfortunately high unemployment rate.
On a national level, Highley is most known for being the village where 17 year old murder victim Lesley Whittle lived and from which she was kidnapped by Donald Neilson, the Black Panther, in 1975.
[edit] External links
- Highley Village Site
- Highley Brass Band
- The Severn Centre
- Severn Centre construction webcam
- The Engine House
| Settlements on the River Severn between Ironbridge and Bewdley (heading downstream) | edit | |
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Ironbridge | Jackfield | Coalport | Bridgnorth | Quatford | Quatt | Hampton & Hampton Loade (chain ferry) | Highley | Alveley | Upper Arley | Bewdley |
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