IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Brookside Road, CINDERFORD, GL14 2YJ

The site of Bilson Yard, once a busy railway freight yard complete with signal box, junctions off to other branch lines and even a small passenger halt (opened as a temporary measure in 1907 until the GWR could construct a line joining up with the S&W's line into Cinderford station itself, which they did in 1908; Bilson Halt remained in unadvertised use until official closure in 1944). Now the site of the yard is an open space with a footpath and cycle track running through it and the only reminder of the area's past use is the distinctive railway fencing, using repurposed sleepers as fenceposts, along each edge of the former railway property.

Timber and building supplies business in Forest Vale Industrial Estate, viewed across Forest Vale Road.

Viewed across Laymore Road, this is one of many businesses in Forest Vale Industrial Estate.

Manufacturers of machinery parts.

This open expanse was once Bilson yard, site of a number of holding sidings for freight wagons as well as a couple of rail junctions, a signal box and a short-lived passenger halt. Railway age photos taken from the same spot (lots of these are to be found in Neil Parkhouse's excellent book "Forest of Dean Lines and the Severn Bridge", volume 2 of his "British Railway History in Colour" series, published by Lightmoor Press) show the signal box and a lamp hut on the extreme left of this shot, while there were a couple of permanent way huts where the two small trees are on the centre right of the shot. Lots of railway fenceposts are still present on the former boundary of the railway land; if you have sharp eyes, you may just be able to make a few out in front of the tall trees on the right! The route of the old line is now a footpath and cycle way.

Industrial premises on the edge of town.

Behind the tankers are two large cylinders, each with a portrayal of a black rhino on the side, and the word RHINOPHALT, an asphalt preservation solution that stops asphalt degrading.

Cinderford-based Ensors closed its two existing premises in Valley Road and transferred here to Forest Vale Road in 2011. This view was taken in December 2012. Footnote : In September 2013, the local paper announced that administrators had been called in by Ensors , and had brokered a takeover deal. Ensors abattoir was sold to Foyle Food Group Ltd.

In view are 3 of the many units in Forest Vale Industrial Estate. From left to right are: City Electrical Factors Ltd, Worksafe and Ross Pastry Products.

Pumping supplies business in Hollyhill Road, Forest Vale Industrial Estate.