East Lancs Railway wins £1.3m grant for repairs
It's the first significant repairs to the railway since 1932
One of the most picturesque parts of the East Lancashire Railway has won a grant to protect its long-term future.
It has received £1.3million so urgent repair work can be done to the Higher Woodhill viaduct, on the edge of Burrs Country Park.
Work will take place in the spring - the last repair work was done all the way back in 1932!
More than £1million was put towards the work by The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government Community Ownership Fund - with Bury, Rochdale and Rossendale contributing £276,000 in match funding.
Supporters of the railway added a few thousand pounds too.
James Frith, Labour MP for Bury North, said:
"The news that the East Lancashire Railway has been successful in its Community Ownership Fund bid is a fantastic Christmas gift for our town. This vital funding will allow essential maintenance on the Woodhill Viaduct to keep the East Lancashire Railway running for years to come.
"Since being elected, I have offered my full support to the team at the railway for this bid, raising it with ministers, and even Number 10, at every opportunity.
"The East Lancashire Railway is a special part of our town’s heritage and culture, and I know everyone in Bury will be pleased that with this funding the future of the railway is secured."
Cllr Charlotte Morris, Cabinet Member for Culture at Bury Council, said:
"Well done to the team at the East Lancashire Railway for putting in such a good bid and securing this funding. Bury Council is proud to support the East Lancashire Railway, and I know a lot of work has gone in from all involved in this bid.
"Now we move onto delivering the maintenance work, with the Council and the East Lancashire Railway working side by side on this. Let’s steam ahead in the New Year and get on with the repairs so that the East Lancashire Railway can continue running through Burrs and beyond."
Mike Kelly, Chairman of East Lancahsire Railway, said:
"There are a great many important Victorian structures along our 12 miles of railway, which thousands of our visitors travel over or under each year, but don’t often see their splendour.
"This award is a major investment for the future and a massive vote of confidence for our dedicated volunteers and staff to help secure the railway’s infrastructure for years to come.
"Now with this fantastic news, we are able to continue running our award-winning events and services without disruption for future generations to enjoy thanks to the generosity and support of the East Lancashire Railway Trust, our local community partners and supporters via our JustGiving page, as well as local and national politicians."