Pop guru Pete Waterman steams in to launch £1m embankment campaign
A £1 million appeal to repair an embankment collapse on a heritage rail line in Gloucestershire has been launched by rail enthusiast and record producer Pete Waterman.
The collapse is on the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) line near Gotherington station in Gloucestershire.
-
Guru: Pete Waterman
The collapse, involving more than 820ft (250m) of track, cut off three miles of the line.
Also known as the Honeybourne Line, the GWSR comprises 10 miles (16km) of the 15 miles (24km) between Cheltenham in Gloucestershire and Broadway in Worcestershire which was originally closed by British Rail in 1976.
Mr Waterman, the GWSR president, said getting the line’s full length reinstated was vital “not just for the future of the railway, which has been steadily rebuilt by its entirely volunteer workforce over the past 30 years, but for the local tourist economy as well”.
He went on: “One of the wonderful features of the line is that long sections run along embankments which afford some fantastic views of the Cotswolds and over the Vale of Evesham to the Malverns and Black Mountains beyond.
“That’s one of the railway’s maintenance headaches, too, so it’s important that we ensure these attractive, century-old earthworks remain in good condition.”
2 Comments
by The Fool, On The Stanway Hill
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 5:29PM
“Damien Hirst owns the 'palace' near the GWR headquarters at Toddington and he's not short of a million or two, perhaps he can be persuaded to put up the necessary dosh for this repair. Otherwise the country should be investing in/funding the restoration of the whole line from the old Malvern Road station in Cheltenham through to Stratford-upon-Avon”
by David Reynolds, Up Hatherley
Tuesday, September 07 2010, 11:28AM
“Having made a short ghost film called "Waters End" on the GWSR railway back in 2006 I can say how wonderful the railway and the fantastic scenery was when moving through The Cotswolds countryside. In their hour of need they required the support and generosity of all steam railway supporters. My film company, Flat-Broke Films will be doing its' best to generate funds towards their appeal.”