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Monday, 9 July 2007, 10:58 GMT 11:58 UK

£1m support for rain-hit railway

Part of a railway line in Highley, Shropshire, affected by land collapsing More than £1m is being made available to help a tourist attraction badly damaged by the recent heavy rain.

The Severn Valley Railway, which runs from Worcestershire to Shropshire, was damaged in 45 places with nine landslips after heavy rain in June.

Development agency Advantage West Midlands (AWM) is giving £500,000 towards track repairs and another £250,000 to refurbish an engine house.

Another £750,000 of European funding is also likely, the agency said.

'Swift action'

AWM's chief executive, John Edwards, said the railway is unique attraction for the West Midlands.

"We need to get it up and running again as quickly as possible.

"These floods have been devastating to this attraction, which brings in 250,000 visitors a year, and it is imperative swift action is taken."

The news comes as the area's MPs tabled a Commons motion urging the Government to provide emergency aid for the railway.

The motion, signed by Conservative MPs Philip Dunne (Ludlow) and Peter Luff (Mid-Worcestershire) and Independent MP Dr Richard Taylor (Wyre Forest) says extra help is necessary to allow the line to reopen.

The 16-mile line runs from Kidderminster in Worcestershire to Bridgnorth in Shropshire.




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Related to this story:
Railway gets £31,000 for repairs (30 Jun 07 |  Shropshire )
Railway appeal after bad weather (25 Jun 07 |  Hereford/Worcs )
Floods shut part of steam railway (22 Jun 07 |  Hereford/Worcs )
Experts predict more heavy rain (18 Jun 07 |  West Midlands )
Flood warnings across the region (17 Jun 07 |  West Midlands )
Houses evacuated after flooding (16 Jun 07 |  West Midlands )

RELATED INTERNET LINKS
Severn Valley Railway
Advantage West Midlands
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