Flood repairs fund at £300,000

Donations to a fighting fund to repair the flood-ravaged Severn Valley Railway have hit the £300,000 mark in just two months, delighted bosses revealed today.

The Kidderminster attraction needed to make up a funding shortfall of £500,000 after being left with a bill of around £2.5 million following the torrential downpours which caused severe damage to the line.

Bosses are now preparing to secure the final stages of funding after raising more than £300,000 towards the work.

Entire sections of track between Bewdley and Bridgnorth were washed away causing a chasm to open up and leaving rails suspended in mid-air.Railway bosses have managed to keep the railway between Kidderminster and Bewdley in operation with steam trains continuing to run a curtailed service.

Donations to help fund repairs have continued to roll in since the Flood Damage Appeal started in June.

Grant aid of around £1.25 million has been provided by Advantage West Midlands and the European Regional Development Fund towards the work.

Other cash has been provided through insurance, leaving the £500,000 shortfall.

Station officials say they have been overwhelmed at the response and generosity of both individuals and organisations.

Cash has been raised by people staging events and youngsters have even donated their pocket money to the scheme.

One of the largest groups to help support the appeal is The County of Salop Steam Engine Society.

Members are donating £5,000 to the appeal which will be presented to SVR general manager Nick Ralls and SVR director Chris Thomas by chairman John Boughey in a special ceremony next week.

By Lee Watton