Welcome to SVRLive!

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We are at the start of some exciting times for Bridgnorth...

It is time that there is significant investment to improve facilities and the attractiveness of the station as a key destination on the SVR and as an efficient place for paid staff and volunteers to work.

There have been a number of proposals over the years which (for one reason or another) have not come to fruition, but one factor has probably been the failure to get total agreement and commitment from all involved.

This time things must be different. The Bridgnorth working group has involved the input of a number of senior directors and we have a very creative package of proposals emerging which can be presented to the holdings board shortly.

Our chairman Nick Paul has indicated his support for the ideas that have been developed by the Bridgnorth working group, and proposes that they should form the focus of Bridgnorth 150 next year, when we will celebrate the railway's opening.

In order to do this, to assist in the proposed new share issue and to assist other funding bids, we have some challenging deadlines to meet, including the preparation of a development prospectus by the late spring.

A key underlying objective of the development programme will be to boost visitor numbers, secure the SVR's position as a premium heritage railway and family day out experience, and to increase profitability to secure the railway's future and ability to invest in the future. We are talking of a ten year programme with a start in 2012 on a number of smaller volunteer driven projects. At the same time detailed design work will be progressed for major projects with a start on site towards the end of 2013. 

Steamworks
This is a theme that will be projected into our marketing material and it will capitalise on what we believe is a unique part of Bridgnorth's attraction for visitors - the behind the scenes story of the skills and practices involved in the maintenance, operation and building of steam locomotives operating in the 21st century.

We propose to allow visitors to see what goes on behind the scenes using a variety of interpretation techniques. These could include the construction of a high level viewing platform in the works, possibly connected to platform 1 via a new footbridge, the use of conventional interpretation boards, and the use of the latest phone and video wall technologies to provide the visitor with an explanation of what goes on, with minimum disturbance to the traditional station scene.

New buffet and station toilets

Replacement of these existing facilities is seen as an urgent priority.The buffet was supposed to be temporary when erected 30-odd years ago! New facilities will be located on the site of, and extend north from, the existing buffet.

The listed station building

Restoration of the former waiting room, following the relocation of the shop. This relocation, together with that of the ladies and gents toilets, will also allow the extension to the bar lounge and better behind-the-bar facilities for staff.

The station approach
New fencing and gateway on the main road frontage, a new pedestrian pathway to remove conflicts with traffic, and improved signage and interpretation boards. A first phase of works by volunteers will commence in spring 2012.

The field car park
New gates are in place and a new scheme will see cars loop around on the site, departing along Station Lane, with improved surfacing, parking and passing spaces.

Track and platform
Extension of the north end of platform 1 to remove the present platform gap and allow longer trains, and to lengthen the south end of platform 2. Other possibilities include providing a new run-round link utilising the storage line which runs alongside the boilershop, and the connection to running lines of the siding currently occupied by volunteer sleeping coaches. This siding could then house coaches including the Venturer dining car and make the attachment to or removal of coaches from trains easier than at present. This proposal depends of course on finding a suitable location for improved volunteer sleeping accommodation.