IMAGES TAKEN NEAR TO
Cooperative Street, STAFFORD, ST16 3BZ

Typical late 19th century suburban development

Taken pretty much from the carpark of the Stafford Rangers FC Image

They play in the Blue Square Conference North league.

Looking across the Common from the Stone Road side. The Commons Registration Act 1965 defines common land as ‘land subject to rights of common (as defined in the Act) whether those rights are exercisable at all times or only during limited periods’, and ‘waste land of a manor not subject to rights of common’. Common land generally has open access rights for the public. Stafford Common extends to 62 ha.(approx 150ac.) and is regularly used for horse shows and car boot sales, hosts cross country running races and is well walked by local residents. It is also used for grazing cattle and horses. The trees to the right, along the southern edge of the Common, follow the line of the old Stafford to Uttoxeter branch railway. There was a small station, called Stafford Common, near the white buildings on the horizon where the track also sent out a spur to serve the nearby saltworks.

Bridge carrying A34 road over the former GNR Stafford - Uttoxeter line, west of Stafford Common Station, closed to Passengers on 4th December 1939. The line survived for freight and for special servicemens trains until final closure to all regular traffic on 5th March 1951, the last train over the line being an SLS special in March 1957. The line east of Stafford Common Station was lifted in 1959 but the remainder was retained for use by engineers in connection with electrification work on the West Coast Main Line. This stub was finally taken out of use in December 1975.

Marston Road, Stafford.

At the corner of Lime Tree Av.

The image shows the southernmost part of Stafford Common. The Common is owned by the Stafford Common Land Trustees. It is used for car boot sales, horse and cattle grazing and recreation. Behind the line of trees on the right in a shallow cutting is the route of the former Uttoxeter-Stafford railway line opened in 1867 and closed in sections between 1939 and 1975. The final section between Stafford and the RAF Stafford supply depot was closed in March 1975, There was a station called Stafford Common in the far corner of the Common. Common Road runs at the eastern side of the Common where the industrial buildings can be seen.