SVR General Discussion

Any word on preserving as much of the existing Wyre Forest Line as possible?

https://www.svrwiki.com/Wyre_Forest_Line

It would give you, a lovely little GWR-style branchline to have, and extending Westwards to Newnham Bridge is expensive, but is probably a LOT cheaper than attempting the near-impossible feat of going northwards under the tunnel from Bridgnorth.

Reason I ask is because the Rotary Club of Bewdley want to reinstate a "footbridge" on the existing piers at the impressive Dowles Bridge, for National Cycle Route 45. And once Sustrans get their hands on anything, you know you're 'screwed', so to speak.

 

I doubt the local council would be very happy about reinstating the railway bridge over Dowles Road - the B-road from Bewdley towards Kinlet. Because the road has been altered since the line closed, reinstating the bridge with acceptable headroom would be rather hard.

In short: a cycle path is feasible; a reopened railway is probably not.

 

Funny you should mention the local authority. They, the National Rail network, and London Midland, West Midlands Trains and Chiltern Railways are actually calling for the return of trains, due to heavy congestion in the Wyre Forest. They want regular services on Bewdley station reinstated.

Both road and rail is essential for the UK, as anywhere. Cycling is a leisurely pursuit. The more I look at Beeching's smug grin on old photos, the less I agree with anyone thinking he sincerely thought he was doing right by the country.

 

Really? Since when?

 

It must be true because it's on Wikipedia!

It doesn't really matter what London Midland think, of course. WMT's franchise bid mentioned the idea of opening a new station on the SVR so they could operate trains to the Safari Park, and such a thing might even be theoretically feasible within the SVR's timetables, but personally, I will believe it the day it opens.

 

Beeching wasn't responsible for the closure of either the Severn Valley Branch or the Wyre Forest Line.

 

It always seems a service to Bewdley comes up every now and again, then falls down because of lack of car parking spaces at Bewdley. I know there's a small one there, but when you look at how big Kiddy, Stourbridge and Rowley Regis are it's tiny!

 

It's barely big enough for the SVR's own needs.

 

Completely agree - let Sustrans have it if they want. There is no way that the SVR will expand that way - or at least not in the next century.

Sent from my SM-J330FN using Tapatalk

 

Being realistic surely any heritage line has to think very carefully about adding to its infrastructure with extensions. It may, however, be in their interest to work with other bodies (even Sustrans) if by doing so they can encourage additional visitors to an the area some of whom may be persuaded to stay longer or make return visits to use the trains. The potential for circular walks or bike rides from well positioned stations may also help long term revenue far more than the net benefit of an extension.

 

Considering there is at least one SVR station I know of that's on an NCN route (Arley) there could well be quite a bit that could be done in this direction.

Visiting the Talyllyn recently I noticed they offer a number of leaflets for suggested rambles along the line - Abergnolwyn to Castell y Bere for example. It's an idea that could have potential in the Valley too.

 

Bewdley's poulation is around 10,000.

There are 'Walks from...' leaflets on the SVR too

Patrick

 

I'm talking about safeguarding as much of the route as possible, not restoring it. The bridge over the Severn alone would cost, well, millions.

An option to extend is better than none at all. And once Sustrans gets hold of something, oh God... you can kiss the notion goodbye forever.

 

But will other bodies be prepared to work with you?
In particular Sustrans.

 

But all of 24 hours ago you said that it should be preserved, that it would be a "lovely little GWR-style branch line" and that an extension in that direction would be much cheaper than going northwards. So when you said that ... you didn't actually think anyone should do it? Or you've changed your mind overnight? Your position seems a little ... changeable.

 

Forestpines, preserving a route for future rail use, or allowing Sustrans to use "glorified tarmac technology" to occupy and lobby over it for all eternity, never to relinquish it again, should the need ever arise where the rail connection is required, aren't quite the same thing, this much we appreciated.

When a charity gets big rich fat and stupid enough, their own policies and morals nearly always get thrown out the window. This nonsense happens all the time. Children in Need for example, after a freedom of information request was done in recent years were found to be investing in businesses that subcontract to arms companies that make the landmines that blow the limbs off children they are fundraising for... isn't exactly moral or just. And yet it happens. Sustrans aren't saints.

 

This might be just my unobservant eyes, but I have never spotted any when I've been on the line as a passenger (or on duty, but I wouldn't expect to), whereas at Tywyn they were right by the door. A good idea though.

I have seen walking groups using the SVR - I recall spotting a group of walkers using the line whilst on a guided tour of valley geology in one case.

 

It was Comic Relief in 2009 through managed funds' investments in arms (BAE), rather than landmines which have been illegal in the UK since the Landmines Act 1998 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-25273024
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/33/contents

It's not clear this was policies and morals thrown out the window, or whether it was a failure to oversee its investment managers. It changed its investment policies in 2014. What the current strategy is or how it's overseen and transparent, I don't know.

Patrick

 

They're 20p. I've seen them in the Bridgnorth shop and, oddly, at Comberton Place. I think I've seen them also at intermediate stations. They're not available to download or in the free racks. I've never thought the renenues from the 20p would be enough to make it worthwhile, but I know nothing about it.

Patrick