gradients are more difficult, with some sharper curvature. The line crosses the flank of the Blackdown Hills. There is a summit at Whiteball, approached by a ten-mile (16 km) climb from Taunton, stiffening to typically 1 in 80 in the final . In the up direction, the climb is practically continuous from Exeter to Whiteball, on moderate gradients as far as Cullompton, then stiffening to 1 in 155 with a final at 1 in 115. Line and station openings Note: openings after the end of independent existence of the B&ER in 1876 are shown in italic Main line (Opened to Bridgwater 1971; to Taunton 1842; to Beam Bridge 1843; and to Exeter 1844) Bristol; superseded by Temple Meads station jointly with the GWR on 6 July 1874 Bedminster; opened 1871 Parson Street Halt; opened 29 August 1927; renamed Parson Street November 1933 Ashton; closed January 1856; reopened as Long Ashton 12 July 1926; closed 6 October 1941 Bourton; opened 1860; renamed Flax Bourton 1 September 1888; relocated west on 2 March 1893; closed on 2 December 1963 Nailsea; renamed Nailsea and Backwell 1 May 1905; renamed Nailsea 6 May 1974 Clevedon Road; renamed Yatton 1847 Banwell; renamed Worle 3 August 1869; renamed Puxton 1 March 1884; renamed Puxton and Worle 1 March 1922; closed 6 April 1964; reopened a short distance west in 1990 Weston Junction; closed 1 March 1884 Bleadon and Uphill; opened 1871; renamed Bleadon and Uphill 1872; closed 5 October 1964 Brent Knoll; opened 1875; closed 4 January 1971 Highbridge Dunball; opened 1873; renamed Dunball Halt 6 November 1961; closed 5 October 1964 Bridgwater Durston; opened 1 October 1853; closed 5 October 1964 Taunton Norton Fitzwarren; opened 1 June 1873; closed 30 October 1961 Wellington; closed 5 October 1964 Beambridge; temporary terminus; closed 1844 Burlescombe; opened 1867; closed 5 October 1964 Sampford Peverell; opened 9 July 1928; closed 5 October 1964; reopened as Tiverton Parkway on 12 May 1986 Tiverton Road; renamed Tiverton Junction 12 June 1848; closed 11 May 1986 Cullompton; closed 5 October 1964 Hele; renamed Hele and Bradninch 1867; closed 5 October 1964 Silverton; opened 1 November 1867; closed 5 October 1964 Stoke Canon; opened 1860; relocated south 2 July 1894; closed 13 June 1960 Exeter. Portishead branch (From Portishead Junction; opened 18 April 1867. Worked by the B&ER.) Station detail given at Portishead Railway Clevedon branch(From Yatton; opened 28 July 1847; closed 3