Click the image above to see in more detail.
In the 1890s the railway line owners and a local farmer erected a fence to prevent people crossing the Dunstable/Leighton Buzzard line at what was then a track from Watling Street to the Green Lanes. Edward Franklin, who became Mayor of Dunstable in 1911 and 1917, is pointing to the crossing in the photograph. A Google Earth Image showing the track of the railway line crossing Brewers Hill Road can be viewed be clicking here.
An estimated 6,000 people took part in a series of huge demonstrations to open the path and eventually court proceedings ended in favour of the Franklin party. A procession of 10,000 people marched down Brewers Hill Road to celebrate.
A Press Cutting from the court case can be viewed by clicking here
If you have any further information that we can add to the description or wish, for some reason, for the picture or information to be removed, please email, stating the reason and image catalogue number to: HRHS Archive
| Photographer | Dunstable Gazette |
|---|---|
| Catalogue Number | Cat 316 .jpg |
| Copyright | Dunstable Gazette |
| Collection Holder | Houghton Regis Heritage Society |
