BRIDGNORTH BANKS A MILLION
Funds raised by the Severn Valley Railway’s Bridgnorth development programme share issue have passed the £1 million mark, just four months after the campaign was launched. The news comes just over a month since the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Railway announced on February 2 that the same milestone had been attained by its ‘Broadway - The Last Mile’ share issue, which is now just £80k short of its £1.2m target (see story above). The SVR aims to raise £2.5m to redevelop its northern terminus, and groundworks have already begun for the construction of the new GWR-style refreshment room, to be built in a neo-Jacobean style to complement the existing station building. Phases 1 and 2 of the project will also see the reinstatement of the original booking hall and waiting room, enlargement of the Railwayman’s Arms public house, and the installation of the former Bristol (Bath Road) turntable in the locomotive yard (see SR460). SVR Chairman Nick Paul said: “Reaching the one million pound mark in just four months is a real achievement, and we’d like to thank everyone who has already invested for their support. “Achieving the sevenfigure mark just ahead of the start of the steam season is reassuring, but we are not yet half way and the clock is really ticking as the share offer must close at the end of October. For that reason, I’d urge anyone considering investing to make their investment sooner rather than later.” For further information about the share issue, visit www.svr.co.uk/shareoffer or call 01562 757900.