These amazing pictures show how this summer’s devastating storms caused £2.5 million damage to the Severn Valley Railway.
Floodwater tore apart the line between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster - engineers have counted 45 landslips on the 16-mile stretch.
They have documented the floods, the damage and the beginning of a massive clear-up effort in dozens of photographs.
Many were revealed yesterday to Professor Quentin Leiper, president of the Institution of Civil Engineers, when he visited Highley Station and other hot spots for damage.
Saturated Professor Leiper, the UK’s most senior engineer, holds the position once taken by Thomas Telford.
He also examined slips at Oldbury Viaduct, Knowlesands Tunnel, near Bridgnorth, and at Hampton Loade.
Repeated storms in June and throughout July saturated the ground making it hugely unstable and prone to slips.
Engineers led by consultant Jonathan Symonds had to identify problems immediately and act quickly to stop disaster.
They have also had to pick out spots that could slip in the future. People living at Northwood Lane, between Arley and Bewdley, have been out of their homes for more than a week following an evacuation.
Gaps have appeared just millimetres wide, but which are still growing daily, and could send tonnes of rock, mud and debris tumbling towards the bungalows.
Professor Leiper, who lives at Bridgnorth, said the damage caused to the line was incredible and praised the efforts of Mr Symonds and his team.
“It takes expertise and a great deal of experience not just to repair these sites but to make sure they are safe for the next 20 or 30 years,” he said.
“I am pleased Jonathan has the knowledge and years of experience of the railway. In this situation you have to work very, very quickly to make sure things don’t get even more out of hand.”
And Mr Symonds said he could assure the public the job would be done to the highest safety standards:
“Even though trains here may only be going at 25mph, we still have to meet the same regulations as every other line.”
Engineers now estimate the repairs will cost £2.5 million. Professor Leiper said he contacted them and planned the visit to raise its profile and encourage donations.
Nick Ralls, who took over as general manager of the railway five weeks ago, said he was looking forward to getting more trains running.
People can donate to the Severn Valley Flood Damage Appeal on (01299) 403816.
By Dave West
One Comment
Although money is flooding in for svr, there has been no help to the people affected by this devastation. My bungalow, next to the slip at Highley Station is, according to J Symonds, at serious risk and dangerous to live in but nothing will be done to put it out of danger until the whole of that area is repaired. So far my insurers have refused to pay any compensation or accommodation costs due to the fact my bungalow itself is not damaged. Letters to the local MP have brought no help whatsoever. What happened to human rights in this case?
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