as I stand on this spot in South  Central UK I can tell you that  
as I stand on this spot in South  Central UK I can tell you that  

there are no Railways in any directions for miles  
there are no Railways in any directions for miles  

and there have been no Railways 10 miles to my  north and south at least in another Direction  
and there have been no Railways 10 miles to my  north and south at least in another Direction  

and maybe 15 miles in either direction East West  this is England population 57 million and if you  
and maybe 15 miles in either direction East West  this is England population 57 million and if you  

include the entire UK the population density is  something like 280 people per square kilometer and  
include the entire UK the population density is  something like 280 people per square kilometer and  

that includes Wales Northern Ireland and Scotland  but here on this relatively flat landscape in the
that includes Wales Northern Ireland and Scotland  but here on this relatively flat landscape in the

South, welcome to the story of why there are no  Railways here just a bunch of abandoned roads.  
South, welcome to the story of why there are no  Railways here just a bunch of abandoned roads.  

have a look at this OS map dated between  1897 and 1907. it contains Shrewton railway  
have a look at this OS map dated between  1897 and 1907. it contains Shrewton railway  

station now if I zoom down the South and  to the Isle of what you'll also note that  
station now if I zoom down the South and  to the Isle of what you'll also note that  

it contains a tunnel under the solent  now these two Railways have one thing  
it contains a tunnel under the solent  now these two Railways have one thing  

in common they don't exist never have done  in my lifetime and probably never will do
in common they don't exist never have done  in my lifetime and probably never will do

now the Isle of Wight tunnels had test  shafts sunk but collapsed and collapsed  
now the Isle of Wight tunnels had test  shafts sunk but collapsed and collapsed  

led to abandonment and any attempt thereafter  thwarted for the same reason but here ensuring  
led to abandonment and any attempt thereafter  thwarted for the same reason but here ensuring  

things were different the story behind  the abandonment of this Railway well  
things were different the story behind  the abandonment of this Railway well  

we need to head back to a Time long  before Railways were even thought of
we need to head back to a Time long  before Railways were even thought of

just behind me is the Parish of East Coulston that  sits about four miles to the east of Westbury with  
just behind me is the Parish of East Coulston that  sits about four miles to the east of Westbury with  

a confusing sentence I'm heading up the hill to  the south of that parish and I'm looking for the  
a confusing sentence I'm heading up the hill to  the south of that parish and I'm looking for the  

first clue that this old Route way here was used  a long time ago to cross Salisbury Plain maybe the  
first clue that this old Route way here was used  a long time ago to cross Salisbury Plain maybe the  

first killer actually is the absolute mountain of  different species in the hedgerows are the side of  
first killer actually is the absolute mountain of  different species in the hedgerows are the side of  

me that's not what I'm here to show you what is  it's just over the brow of this hill if I've got  
me that's not what I'm here to show you what is  it's just over the brow of this hill if I've got  

my GPS right view up here is something else here  we go this is exactly what we've been looking for  
my GPS right view up here is something else here  we go this is exactly what we've been looking for  

this old Milestone says x  i x so I guess that's 19.  
this old Milestone says x  i x so I guess that's 19.  

from sarum XV 15 16 17 to Bath that way 17 miles  to Bath that way 19 to Sarum, Salisbury now  
from sarum XV 15 16 17 to Bath that way 17 miles  to Bath that way 19 to Sarum, Salisbury now  

let's go find the next one we  should better predict what it says
let's go find the next one we  should better predict what it says

okay so the next Milestone should be around  here someone who should say sarum 18 bath 18  
okay so the next Milestone should be around  here someone who should say sarum 18 bath 18  

if that one was correct I think the  old Maps um here we go the old maps  
if that one was correct I think the  old Maps um here we go the old maps  

have got that slightly wrong they've taken  off a 10. um yep there we are look at this  
have got that slightly wrong they've taken  off a 10. um yep there we are look at this  

absolutely brilliant old Milestone now  if we want to find the next one however  
absolutely brilliant old Milestone now  if we want to find the next one however  

there is a bit of a problem which I'll show you  just up ahead on today's little journey [Music]  
there is a bit of a problem which I'll show you  just up ahead on today's little journey [Music]  

on this route and follow it down to serum now my  assumption perhaps like yours is that this was the  
on this route and follow it down to serum now my  assumption perhaps like yours is that this was the  

Turnpike Road because they would have used these  milestones however this one doesn't appear to be  
Turnpike Road because they would have used these  milestones however this one doesn't appear to be  

on any official record I want to carry on this  old Route well got a bit of a problem you see  
on any official record I want to carry on this  old Route well got a bit of a problem you see  

at this juncture here I want to carry on  going there but I'm certainly not gonna  
at this juncture here I want to carry on  going there but I'm certainly not gonna  

do that now some of these old milestones  that we found well they date 17.50 and a  
do that now some of these old milestones  that we found well they date 17.50 and a  

bit more research it turns out this route had  the most romantic old name The Old Slow Coach  
bit more research it turns out this route had  the most romantic old name The Old Slow Coach  

oh so Salisbury plane is split into three by  the two narrow roads that seemingly survived  
oh so Salisbury plane is split into three by  the two narrow roads that seemingly survived  

here in The Valleys it's an area that looks like  it covers around 25 percent of wheelchair but in  
here in The Valleys it's an area that looks like  it covers around 25 percent of wheelchair but in  

essence the figure is actually 11 by area probably  half of that is completely out of bounds for the  
essence the figure is actually 11 by area probably  half of that is completely out of bounds for the  

majority of the year and you'll probably have also  worked out if you didn't know already that it's  
majority of the year and you'll probably have also  worked out if you didn't know already that it's  

strictly for military use but that still doesn't  answer our question you see the war department  
strictly for military use but that still doesn't  answer our question you see the war department  

started buying up bits of land here when Railway  Mania was at least 60 years old so the assumption  
started buying up bits of land here when Railway  Mania was at least 60 years old so the assumption  

is that this baron landscape can't be blamed on  the military so where do we go from here [Music]  
is that this baron landscape can't be blamed on  the military so where do we go from here [Music]  

so there are no Railways here and maybe that would  imply that there's a mountainous landscape but it  
so there are no Railways here and maybe that would  imply that there's a mountainous landscape but it  

doesn't look like that maybe there's a lack  of population here for the railways to serve  
doesn't look like that maybe there's a lack  of population here for the railways to serve  

either way let's head to our South down  the old Marlborough Road because I think  
either way let's head to our South down  the old Marlborough Road because I think  

there's a few Clues down here  to help us unravel this puzzle
there's a few Clues down here  to help us unravel this puzzle

Okay I lied we're actually going to drive  across this bit of plane because there's  
Okay I lied we're actually going to drive  across this bit of plane because there's  

quite a lot to see join us as we head  south along the old Marlborough Road
quite a lot to see join us as we head  south along the old Marlborough Road

all right never done this before and I've even  considered doing this before driving across  
all right never done this before and I've even  considered doing this before driving across  

Salisbury Plain this bit is a byway there's no  restrictions other than the potential for red  
Salisbury Plain this bit is a byway there's no  restrictions other than the potential for red  

flags now this side of the plane is a bit  different to imber the imbecile 100 no go  
flags now this side of the plane is a bit  different to imber the imbecile 100 no go  

unless they're going to imber on the odd one or  two days a year but this side this is different  
unless they're going to imber on the odd one or  two days a year but this side this is different  

you can go along the pathways of footpaths by  ways or restricted byways depending on the time  
you can go along the pathways of footpaths by  ways or restricted byways depending on the time  

of day and if they're doing some firing now  I haven't been online to have a look to see  
of day and if they're doing some firing now  I haven't been online to have a look to see  

if today's a foreign day so if we find the red  flags in the danger zone which is on the map  
if today's a foreign day so if we find the red  flags in the danger zone which is on the map  

and obviously we can't go any further we  have to take a deviation but the moment  
and obviously we can't go any further we  have to take a deviation but the moment  

we're looking good we're traveling south  across the old Marlborough Road [Music]  
we're looking good we're traveling south  across the old Marlborough Road [Music]  

okay so as we try to show you just  earlier through the window of the car  
okay so as we try to show you just  earlier through the window of the car  

it's always been playing all aspects of saucepan  of filled with all kinds of prehistoric stuff just  
it's always been playing all aspects of saucepan  of filled with all kinds of prehistoric stuff just  

ahead of me there looks like maybe an old burial  mound sort of probably Bronze Age covered in white  
ahead of me there looks like maybe an old burial  mound sort of probably Bronze Age covered in white  

sticks and and to tank concrete blocks across the  row from there something else which gives us a  
sticks and and to tank concrete blocks across the  row from there something else which gives us a  

hint of this road and what it was so if I'm right  that is a milestone which should say Salisbury 13  
hint of this road and what it was so if I'm right  that is a milestone which should say Salisbury 13  

Marlborough 14 in that direction and there it is  probably got a benchmark on it somewhere as well  
Marlborough 14 in that direction and there it is  probably got a benchmark on it somewhere as well  

um again well looked after
um again well looked after

now it's worth remembering at this point that  this is not my truck I've borrowed it for the  
now it's worth remembering at this point that  this is not my truck I've borrowed it for the  

day and I had no intention of getting it stuck  here in the middle of Salisbury Plain we came  
day and I had no intention of getting it stuck  here in the middle of Salisbury Plain we came  

across some very deep trenches and it was  something I wanted to show you so I'm back  
across some very deep trenches and it was  something I wanted to show you so I'm back  

on foot for a quick snippet here anyway what  we're doing is we're looking for the source of  
on foot for a quick snippet here anyway what  we're doing is we're looking for the source of  

a river that source of the river is going to  help us understand a bit more about this old  
a river that source of the river is going to  help us understand a bit more about this old  

Route it's called Nine Mile River and now you'd  be forgiven for thinking that it's called that  
Route it's called Nine Mile River and now you'd  be forgiven for thinking that it's called that  

because it's nine miles long but it's not it's  actually only four or four and a half miles long  
because it's nine miles long but it's not it's  actually only four or four and a half miles long  

so I am at the lowest point in this landscape here  and I think this is where it's marked on the map  
so I am at the lowest point in this landscape here  and I think this is where it's marked on the map  

is roughly the area of the source of Nine Mile  River now if you were one of your coaching staff  
is roughly the area of the source of Nine Mile  River now if you were one of your coaching staff  

and traveling south from Marlborough that way  up those trees through there towards Salisbury  
and traveling south from Marlborough that way  up those trees through there towards Salisbury  

but if you reach this point you're said to  be nine miles from Salisbury and hence they  
but if you reach this point you're said to  be nine miles from Salisbury and hence they  

name this Nine Mile River despite the fact  that it is only four and a half miles long
name this Nine Mile River despite the fact  that it is only four and a half miles long

so we do have a few Road Crossings on the plane  the mile markers give that away and we do have a  
so we do have a few Road Crossings on the plane  the mile markers give that away and we do have a  

mountain of prehistoric activity there too but no  Railways well it turns out that wasn't for lack  
mountain of prehistoric activity there too but no  Railways well it turns out that wasn't for lack  

of trying 1882 London Southwestern Railway come  up with a curiously titled proposal the Bristol  
of trying 1882 London Southwestern Railway come  up with a curiously titled proposal the Bristol  

and London and South Western Junction Railway  I'm gonna tell you the root of that that kind of  
and London and South Western Junction Railway  I'm gonna tell you the root of that that kind of  

makes sense now I'm not sure if that's what we're  looking at up ahead but we do have our first clue  
makes sense now I'm not sure if that's what we're  looking at up ahead but we do have our first clue  

to a railway attempt to cross a plane now the  root of this line is hugely important because  
to a railway attempt to cross a plane now the  root of this line is hugely important because  

it would have left London Southwestern Railways  main line just across the field it greatly just  
it would have left London Southwestern Railways  main line just across the field it greatly just  

this side of greatly cut across here onto Newton  Tony, shrewton Imber we'll come to Imber shortly  
this side of greatly cut across here onto Newton  Tony, shrewton Imber we'll come to Imber shortly  

North up through Westbury Edington and then  on to join a main line at radstock it doesn't  
North up through Westbury Edington and then  on to join a main line at radstock it doesn't  

take a railway historian to tell you that well  gwr virulently opposed this effectively this  
take a railway historian to tell you that well  gwr virulently opposed this effectively this  

would mean that London Southwestern Railway had  running rights to Bristol from Southampton via  
would mean that London Southwestern Railway had  running rights to Bristol from Southampton via  

Andover gwr clearly opposed this Railway and were  ultimately successful in blocking its construction  
Andover gwr clearly opposed this Railway and were  ultimately successful in blocking its construction  

what that doesn't give us any clue really as to  why this line was built a year later 1883 when gwr  
what that doesn't give us any clue really as to  why this line was built a year later 1883 when gwr  

came up with their proposal to cross a plane maybe  this is part of that it turns out it wasn't 1883  
came up with their proposal to cross a plane maybe  this is part of that it turns out it wasn't 1883  

and they proposed a route across the plain from  pewsey down to Salisbury and on to Southampton  
and they proposed a route across the plain from  pewsey down to Salisbury and on to Southampton  

and take a genius again to tell you that this  time it was time for London Southwestern Railway  
and take a genius again to tell you that this  time it was time for London Southwestern Railway  

to oppose because that would be right into their  Heartland the top part of that line was authorized  
to oppose because that would be right into their  Heartland the top part of that line was authorized  

Pewsey to Salisbury it obviously wasn't built  at least as far as we know perhaps because they  
Pewsey to Salisbury it obviously wasn't built  at least as far as we know perhaps because they  

were never going to get to Southampton so what  exactly is this bridge for was there a line here  
were never going to get to Southampton so what  exactly is this bridge for was there a line here  

it happened on the plane for another decade or so  in fact it took till 1896 for things to move once  
it happened on the plane for another decade or so  in fact it took till 1896 for things to move once  

again with one of the most important Railway  acts of that era 1896 the light Railways act  
again with one of the most important Railway  acts of that era 1896 the light Railways act  

and perhaps now we're going to get our first  insight as to why that line was built how far  
and perhaps now we're going to get our first  insight as to why that line was built how far  

it went and why was there a stationary shooting  that wasn't built but was on the maps over to gwr
it went and why was there a stationary shooting  that wasn't built but was on the maps over to gwr

if you're on a disuse railway it's always worth  turning up at places sure about because this isn't  
if you're on a disuse railway it's always worth  turning up at places sure about because this isn't  

marked on a map and yet I can walk up this Old  Railway past Newton Tony and the light Railways  
marked on a map and yet I can walk up this Old  Railway past Newton Tony and the light Railways  

Act made it really easy for Railway companies to  just build a line there was less paperwork less  
Act made it really easy for Railway companies to  just build a line there was less paperwork less  

bureaucracy I could just get on and uh build  a railway fairly cheaply gwr in this area saw  
bureaucracy I could just get on and uh build  a railway fairly cheaply gwr in this area saw  

that benefit and took advantage of it straight  away they proposed a line that would go from  
that benefit and took advantage of it straight  away they proposed a line that would go from  

Salisbury or Bemerton on up the Avon Valley again  up towards pewsey cutting right across Salisbury  
Salisbury or Bemerton on up the Avon Valley again  up towards pewsey cutting right across Salisbury  

Plain this was a great plan the light Railways  Act was in place what could possibly go wrong
Plain this was a great plan the light Railways  Act was in place what could possibly go wrong

yeah in steps London's Southwestern Railway  and all this time they've been busy thinking  
yeah in steps London's Southwestern Railway  and all this time they've been busy thinking  

outside the box you see the war office have been  buying up huge sways of land here on Salisbury  
outside the box you see the war office have been  buying up huge sways of land here on Salisbury  

Plain and whilst gwr were making their own plans  and involving the light Railway act but it turns  
Plain and whilst gwr were making their own plans  and involving the light Railway act but it turns  

out that London Southwestern Railway had been  making plans with the very people that could  
out that London Southwestern Railway had been  making plans with the very people that could  

indeed influence a line across Salisbury Plain  they'd been making plans with the war office
indeed influence a line across Salisbury Plain  they'd been making plans with the war office

so how far ahead did London South western Railway  think because their line was proposed from  
so how far ahead did London South western Railway  think because their line was proposed from  

here just west of greatly and on to Newton Tony  Amesbury and towards Shrewton now that is probably  
here just west of greatly and on to Newton Tony  Amesbury and towards Shrewton now that is probably  

where the map we originally showed you comes  into play but why build a Rowan stop just there  
where the map we originally showed you comes  into play but why build a Rowan stop just there  

perhaps I guess once you have a line that far you  can propose more take more land rail geography and  
perhaps I guess once you have a line that far you  can propose more take more land rail geography and  

you may creep closer and closer to the goal that  is Bristol but that didn't happen their line only  
you may creep closer and closer to the goal that  is Bristol but that didn't happen their line only  

ever got as far in a passenger sense as Amesbury  there's a few more branches for Freight to Bulford  
ever got as far in a passenger sense as Amesbury  there's a few more branches for Freight to Bulford  

Rollestone and even Stonehenge Airfield  but no line was ever built across the plain
Rollestone and even Stonehenge Airfield  but no line was ever built across the plain

so why no lines here why no life here and  when the war office did buy up huge sways  
so why no lines here why no life here and  when the war office did buy up huge sways  

of land here well Railway Mania had been  around for at least 60 years so maybe we  
of land here well Railway Mania had been  around for at least 60 years so maybe we  

should actually be looking at the landscape  here after all November the 1st 1943 and the  
should actually be looking at the landscape  here after all November the 1st 1943 and the  

residents of imber the village in the middle of  the western third of Salisbury playing with call  
residents of imber the village in the middle of  the western third of Salisbury playing with call  

to a meeting now this meeting would change their  lives more drastically than anything in the last  
to a meeting now this meeting would change their  lives more drastically than anything in the last  

1,000 years of recorded history and probably more  they were given 47 days to move out the village  
1,000 years of recorded history and probably more  they were given 47 days to move out the village  

was to be used by American forces to practice  on street fighting the residents gave Little  
was to be used by American forces to practice  on street fighting the residents gave Little  

Resistance it was all part of the war effort  and they were doing their bit but above all  
Resistance it was all part of the war effort  and they were doing their bit but above all  

they would get their land and houses back this  was a promise now there has been many attempts
they would get their land and houses back this  was a promise now there has been many attempts

soldiers at the time all kinds of evidence  including a copy of the original letter  
soldiers at the time all kinds of evidence  including a copy of the original letter  

promising that they would be able to return to  their homes at some point thereafter however it  
promising that they would be able to return to  their homes at some point thereafter however it  

wasn't to be you can visit the village  on some gorgeous old London buses once  
wasn't to be you can visit the village  on some gorgeous old London buses once  

a year a couple of times outside of that  for worship and reflection at the church  
a year a couple of times outside of that  for worship and reflection at the church  

but that aside you can't help fill the  sadness at the loss of a community here
but that aside you can't help fill the  sadness at the loss of a community here

of all the Landscapes that we've visited  this one's relatively close to us and on  
of all the Landscapes that we've visited  this one's relatively close to us and on  

our doorstep and yet stand here miles probably  from the nearest person no roads no Railways no  
our doorstep and yet stand here miles probably  from the nearest person no roads no Railways no  

Industrial Revolution to change the landscape  here and perhaps that's the key to this video  
Industrial Revolution to change the landscape  here and perhaps that's the key to this video  

for me personally in the journey that I've been  on finding these old Route ways that would have  
for me personally in the journey that I've been  on finding these old Route ways that would have  

been coaching roads Roman roads like this one  perhaps could have been well maybe this is  
been coaching roads Roman roads like this one  perhaps could have been well maybe this is  

the one that's given me the most sense of what  things would have looked like in an era it's 2  
the one that's given me the most sense of what  things would have looked like in an era it's 2  

000 plus years old because we've got a  lot of pre-history here and maybe that  
000 plus years old because we've got a  lot of pre-history here and maybe that  

above all is the reason why there is no  development Perhaps pre-history Perhaps 2  
above all is the reason why there is no  development Perhaps pre-history Perhaps 2  

000 years ago well life pretty much  stopped here with regard to the land and  
000 years ago well life pretty much  stopped here with regard to the land and  

its potential for agricultural purposes with  relatively high up on this plateau of chalk  
its potential for agricultural purposes with  relatively high up on this plateau of chalk  

maybe that instead of many other reasons that  have been suggested I've been Paul I really  
maybe that instead of many other reasons that  have been suggested I've been Paul I really  

appreciate your um watching your viewership if  you want a bit more from behind the scenes and  
appreciate your um watching your viewership if  you want a bit more from behind the scenes and  

then you're very welcome to sign up to our patreon  or YouTube members and get you a few benefits here  
then you're very welcome to sign up to our patreon  or YouTube members and get you a few benefits here  

and there and of course you'd be helping out the  channel I'll see you in the next video [Music]
and there and of course you'd be helping out the  channel I'll see you in the next video [Music]