Severn Valley supports £50m scheme which could reopen Eardington Halt

THE Severn Valley Railway has backed a £50 million holiday venue plan which could see Eardington station reopened.

General manager Nick Ralls has written to Shropshire Council in support of multi-million pound plans for the leisure development on the Astbury Estate near Bridgnorth, drawn up by the FCFM Group.

The estate, which already includes a top-class 18-hole golf course, was previously owned by former Judas Priest guitarist KK Downing, and was bought by FCFM last year.

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The Princess Royal Class Locomotive Trust’s BR Standard 2-6-4T No. 80080 is seen departing from Swanwick Junction at the Midland Railway-Butterley on the afternoon of Saturday, February 23, its first public day in traffic since returning from overhaul. It should have been available the previous weekend, but it failed with a leaking fusible plug on the Saturday. ALISTAIR GRIEVE

FCFM has applied for planning permission for the scheme, to create a “world class” holiday destination with golf, tennis, and spa facilities, and nearly 300 wooden lodges.

Nick wrote: “The SVR is working with the development company and can see many ways in which the development will benefit the Severn Valley Railway and the local area.

“We will be looking to open the Halt to the guests at the Astbury Estate and even offer the option that they can arrive by train.”

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Read more in Issue 252 of HR – on sale now!

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