Severn Valley Railway postpones reopening following lockdown roadmap announcement

The heritage attraction said that although it will not be open from April 2 as originally announced, its first planned event will take place that month.

Passengers who had booked to travel but no longer can will be contacted and issued a refund or a change of date for travel.

It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson laid out a plan for lockdown restrictions to come to an end, meaning the railway will restart its public services from April 12, before launched its Spring Steam Up event from April 15 to 18.

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When the railway reopens, passengers will travel in their own private compartment, which will be theirs for the whole day. Other Covid-safe measures will be in place, such as social distancing and hand sanitization stations.

Takeaway food will be available from the railway’s refreshment rooms, and its pubs at Kidderminster and Bridgnorth will offer outdoor table service. The Engine House must remain closed until at least May 17, when restrictions may be lifted on indoor attractions.

Both the Spring Steam Up and the Diesel Bash, which runs between May 13 and 16, will go ahead as planned.

Helen Smith, the railway's general manager, said: “It’s a huge relief that we will be able to operate both these special events, as well as offer our regular excursion services from April 12. We’re very much looking forward to welcoming the unique locomotive 2999 Lady of Legend to our steam event, which is already 60 per cent sold out.

“We’ll be contacting all passengers who have booked to travel up to and including April 11. We are sorry to have to disappoint these people, but we will make sure they don’t lose out by offering them a transfer to another date or a refund.”