Grant could see Oswestry to Gobowen passenger service at last
CAMBRIAN Heritage Railways is celebrating after securing a £50,000 grant in the latest round of the Department for Transport's Restoring Your Railway Fund, to restore regular services between Oswestry and Gobowen.
Delighted railway chairman Roger Date said: “This acknowledgement of support will greatly assist with developing the opportunities that can be derived from a direct rail link to the national network at Gobowen.
“The project is being promoted in two phases, with the first phase connecting Gobowen to Park Hall Halt, adjacent to the orthopaedic hospital, and the second phase extending onwards to Oswestry, a total distance of 2.4 miles.
“Feasibility studies will assist with delivering a business case for the project, including the solutions for infrastructure works to pass beneath the A5 at Pentre Clywydd.
“CHR would like to acknowledge the support of numerous partners who have assisted with the application and contributed the required match funding, including the Shrewsbury Chester Rail Partnership, Pre-Metro Operations and Oswestry BID.”
Oswestry BID manager Adele Nightingale said: “Connecting us back to the main network at Gobowen would open up so many opportunities for our town's businesses and residents, and give a tremendous boost to our economy on many levels.”
The application for the grant had been supported by North Shropshire Conservative MP Owen Paterson, who tweeted: “I look forward to working with CHR to restore the railway between Oswestry and Gobowen. A great team effort.”
However, Mr Paterson resigned from the House of Commons on November 5 amid controversy surrounding a report by the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards that found that he had broken paid advocacy rules.
March opening
Meanwhile, the railway has announced that it will open its 1¾mile southern extension to Weston Wharf – the location of microbrewery Stonehouse, which offers real ale in its on-site visitor centre near the village of Morda – in March.
The extension has been helped by a £120,000 grant from Oswestry Town Council in January 2018 and more recently a £40,000 legacy from late member Roy Roscoe.
Class 73 No. E6036 (73129), which arrived in June after being relocated by its owner, has made a trial run over the extension.
On November 9, BR suburban brake No. E43145 has joined the serviceable carriage rake after completion of its restoration and examination. This rake will be used on the public services to Weston Wharf.