Churnet Valley gets £1.4m Euro grant for Leek push
THE Churnet Valley Railway (CVR) has been celebrating its success in landing a £1,427,906 European Agriculture Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD) grant to complete its extension into Leek.
The funding will cover 80% of the cost of building nearly a mile of railway line and associated infrastructure from the present railhead to a new station off Barnfields Road, while protecting the underground utilities and providing a new footpath alongside the railway.
It will also reconnect the former railway triangle at Leekbrook Junction, creating the first original operational triangle offering three different destinations in the UK heritage sector.
Ambition
Railway chairman Anthony Hancock said:“reinstating the line to Leek has been the ambition of so many people for many years – and thanks to support from Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and its leader, the dedicated effort from CVR volunteers and this fantastic funding award, this ambition is going to be fully realised. It really is full steam ahead now!
“Although we have secured this fantastic amount, we also need to raise the final 20% ourselves so we hope to welcome as many visitors as possible in 2020 to help raise funds.”
Coun Sybil Ralphs, leader of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council, opened the first phase of the extension on October 11 last year, when USATC S160 2-8-0 No. 5197 hauled a special train carrying invited guests from Cheddleton station to Leek Brook and on to the £40,000 first section of the Leek extension – which had only been laid in the 48 hours before – as highlighted in issue 260.
She said: “As a long-time supporter and champion of the railway, I am absolutely delighted.
“Over the last two years we’ve helped the CVR secure funding for projects including Leek Brook station and some enabling works, as well as helping the CVR to win this big prize. It is wonderful that one of the final awards from EU funding is coming to our area!
“This is a real vote of confidence in the potential of the visitor economy – and an acknowledgement that attractions such as this heritage railway can both encourage tourists to come to the Moorlands and then to stay longer when they’re here.”
In March, the Moorlands Partnership Board, which is part of the district council, approved a grant of £12,791 towards further work on the trackbed costing £25,0000.
Tourism opportunities
Coun Mike Bowen said:“this is a big move to get the railway back into Leek. It could then be looked at to get the line to Stoke. This would take a massive amount of traffic off the roads.
Partnership board chairman Coun Hilda Sheldon said:
“This project opens up huge tourism opportunities for the Staffordshire Moorlands. It is a very important project.”
Under wider proposals to extend the line, passengers will eventually be able to board the train at Oakamoor, with its new holiday village, and travel directly to Leek, via all stations in between, without the need to take their car every time they enjoy the countryside.
As a result of the coronavirus outbreak, the railway has suspended all its services until at least May 8.