Severn Valley - New Station

It really does make a change.

 

While I think the idea is unlikely to happen, and would not be much benefit from the main line perspective, I do wonder if a small station at the Safari Park could benefit the railway potentially being useful for passengers wishing to do more than one attraction in a day but not wanting to drive and try and park up again, but then again this could be achieved more affectively by a shuttle bus between the Safari Park and Bewdley station.

 

It's probably worth pointing out at this point that WMCA and TfWM (not to mention Wolverhampton City Council of course) have no remit for what happens in Kidderminster and Bewdley. They are probably greatly interested in the other, slightly more sensible plans for new stations that WMR have put forward bundled into the same press releases that are within their region, but the SVR is not, and they are therefore unlikely to be willing to fund something in a neighbouring county.

 

I seem to remember from an earlier incarnation of the Foley Park proposal that there was some pressure to provide additional facilities into that part of Kidderminster, and extending mainline services was part of that. On the Safari Park there was something about 'green' development, increasing visitors without increasing cars. The hotel and other diversification would also have been supported by extended services. I've no idea what the current dynamics are, who's pushing for what and why, but historically it's been more than about Safari visitors.

On the public authority point, a long time ago metrpolitan transport authorities could go something like 30 miles beyond their boundaries. Again, I don't know the current powers.

None of this changes the apparent viability of this proposal.

Patrick

 

The public authorities mentioned have no remit/authority in Worcestershire.

 

The idea of a commuter service from Bewdley and the safari park station were also part of the London midland franchise bid. I wouldnt be holding your breath for this to happen. The West mids safari park did have plans for a hotel/ theme park type development. There was also the planning sweetner within the developmeny of the sugar beet site to have foley park halt reinstated. Just remeber that Bulls**t baffles brains.