£5 million redevelopment for Bridgnorth's Severn Valley Railway station

The SVR wants to upgrade facilities at the Bridgnorth station and their plans include the construction of a 53-bed staff hostel, a station cafe and offices.

It is an investment that the SVR sees as bringing the station up to the same standard as the one in Kidderminster.

The plans have been approved and supported by Bridgnorth Town Council and are currently before Shropshire Council, which will make the final decision about whether they get the go ahead.

SVR Infrastructure Manager Chris Bond said that the planning application was the culmination of three years of intensive behind the scene work by a dedicated SVR development team.

He said: "We intend to create a fitting terminus for the Severn Valley Railway as one of the nation's leading heritage railways and also provide an appropriate gateway to the town.

"The first phase of the project would build an additional GWR style building as a refreshment room, which would replace the existing life-expired buffet area.

"We also want to provide an extension to the popular Railwayman's Arms pub, provide new toilet facilities and also conserve and restore the original Grade II listed station building.

"With further phases of the project we would like to enhance facilities for the Railway itself, which would include installing a turntable. We also want to improve facilities for the many volunteers who freely give their time to work on the heritage railway.

"We are awaiting the outcome of our submission to Shropshire Council and will make further announcements at that time."

A three-man delegation from the SVR, which included Chris Bond, presented the case for the development at a Bridgnorth Town Council meeting this week.

Brian, Jones, an SVR member for 48 years, was in the delegation and said the development plan is all about Bridgnorth catching up with Kidderminster.

He said: "The developments we propose will be good for the railway but also good for the town, as we know how much of a benefit the SVR is to business in Bridgnorth.

"When flooding halted the running of trains the effect on town businesses was dramatic, with a 50 per cent reduction in visitors to the town – a figure that amazed me."

Dave Postle, another member of the SVR delegation, said the planned development was intended to help immerse visitors in a totally historic experience when they arrive in Bridgnorth.

He said: "All our plans are based around creating a period look for the railway and our design brief for the buildings is to reflect the period 1862 through to 1949. The 1949 cut-off point being one chosen by the Station Master at Bridgnorth."

Councillor Connie Baines was one of three councillors to make a site visit to Bridgnorth Station earlier in the week and said she was impressed that the SVR had held a consultation with residents over the proposed development.

She said: "It is encouraging that the SVR is prepared to listen to residents who are concerned about the development.

"They plan to hold further meetings with residents and I am impressed that they are trying to find solutions to the potential issues of privacy and noise that could affect people living near the station."

The SVR development team intend to stake out the proposed buildings so that residents will get a better idea of what they will look like and how they will affect them.

There are also plans to plant rows of mature trees to create a screen between The Hawthorns housing area and the station.

Councillor Pauline Harrison said that the heritage railway was a great asset for the town.

She said: "The railway draws so many people into Bridgnorth and I think we owe a big debt of thanks to the many volunteers who work on it."

When put to the vote the SVR planning proposal was unanimously recommended by the council, who also added the endorsement that they totally support the plans.

Work has already begun on extending the platform in Bridgnorth, a necessary step given the increased number of eight and nine carriage trains now using the station.