TElFORD STEAM RAilWAy AppliES TO iNcREASE OpERATiNg DAyS
The Telford Steam Railway has applied for permission to increase its number of operating days, following concerns raised by local residents.
A group of homeowners in Horsehay and Doseley complained in August that the one‑mile line was not complying with the terms of its planning permission, which laid down restrictions on the number of days, and the number of steam‑hauled trains, that it could operate per year (SR497).
With its operation expanding thanks to the successful ‘Polar Express’ trains, the line has submitted a revised planning application for additional operating days.
It needs to run ‘Polar Expresses’ for 30 days during November and December – in addition to its normal 45 operating days in the main season from Easter to October.
TSR chairman Paul Hughes said: “The railway was covered by a number of planning applications, all with different conditions, and it became apparent that we were going to breach some of these conditions during our sell‑out ‘Polar’ season.
“Working with Telford and Wrekin council, an application was made to regularise the conditions so the railway can move forward with clear operating times, as opposed to having different conditions on different parts of the site and running line.
“It should also be noted that the residents who instigated the complaint don’t even live by the railway’s current operation, but along our planned extension to Doseley.
“The planning application should be determined early in the new year, which will allow the railway to plan its coming year’s activities accordingly.”