Boris Johnson predicts "glorious future" for Llangollen Railway
PRIME Minister Boris Johnson said in Parliament on May 13 that the Llangollen Railway ( LR) has "a glorious future ahead'.' The development comes as two other MPs have raised questions with the Government about support for the heritage railway sector in recent weeks.
Mr Johnson's statement came after the LR's local Westminster representative, Simon Baynes MP ( Conservative, Clwyd South), asked during Prime Minister's Questions: "The hospitality and tourism businesses in my constituency of Clwyd South are vital for the health of the local economy, of which a very good example is the Llangollen steam railway. Will the Prime Minister join me in congratulating the railway on its current restructuring and fund raising campaign designed to see it through the coronavirus crisis? After the crisis is over, will he please hop on board one of its steam trains when he is next in Llangollen?"
The Prime Minister replied:"! have a picture at home of myself and William Hague aboard the Llangollen steam railway, I am proud to say. I congratulate the group on what they are doing to raise funds. I have no doubt that they have a glorious future ahead with my hon. Friend's support:'
Sector support
In a written question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport ( DCMS), Liz Saville- Roberts ( Plaid Cymru, Dwyfor Meirionnydd) asked what support for heritage railways in the UK the department and HM Treasury have agreed since April 8, 2020.
Nigel Huddleston, assistant whip, the Parliamentary Under- Secretary of State for DCMS ( Conservative, Mid Worcestershire) replied:" We recognise the extremely difficult circumstances which heritage and tourism businesses, including heritage railways, are currently facing across the country as a result of the Covid- 19 pandemic.
"To assist in mitigating this impact, the chancellor has announced an extensive financial support package for business and workers in the current economic emergency. The Heritage Alliance, of which the Heritage Railway Association is a member, is represented at weekly ministerial teleconferences with DCMS, in order to communicate members' issues and concerns to Government to help us to seek solutions and mitigations.
"Heritage railways may wish to apply for further support from the Heritage Emergency Fund, a £ SO- million scheme launched by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to support the heritage sector through the Covid- 19 pandemic.
"They may also want to approach Historic England, which has announced a £ 2- million programme of grants for smaller, specialist organisations and projects'.'
In a parliamentary debate about the heritage and tourism sector on April 27, Robbie Moore ( Conservative, Keighley), said: "The Keighley & Worth Valley Railway- Yorkshire's No. 1 tourist attraction - has welcomed over seven million visitors to Keighley in the last 50 years, all supporting our much- loved heritage railway and the local economy in Keighley.
"Like all heritage railways, it is run predominantly by passionate volunteers, with an economic model based on ensuring that ticket sales are plentiful. With social distancing restrictions unlikely to be relaxed for a significant time, will the minister outline what additional support he will consider providing to the heritage railway sector?"
Nigel Huddleston MP replied:" My hon. Friend may wish to apply to the £ 50 million emergency programme launched by the heritage fund to support the heritage sector through the Covid- 19 pandemic. He may also want to approach Historic England'.'