Rail-way cottages?

These terraced cottages/houses face what was once a railway; probably axed in the Beeching years.
Its all over grown now but when I lived not far from here 92/01 it wasn't nearly so bad, it looks as if the council has put new railings sometime since it used to be a rather run down fence which I thought was rather dangerous.
I knew one of the residents in the end house so if he came home after a night out he or anyone could have fallen down the slope quite easily.
The houses were possibly built for the local brick-workers or the miners at Cronton colliery not too far away that has also been closed just after the troubles of 1980's I think.

Its rained most of the day and is depressing; hope your having better. cheers penny.