Passenger numbers on Shropshire’s Severn Valley Railway were down by more than 20,000 last year, disappointed bosses revealed today.

The trains, which run between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster, carried 225,570 people last year – 23,000 down on 2009 figures. Bosses at the railway said a tough economic climate and Arctic weather conditions towards the back end of the year contributed towards the low passenger numbers.

Nick Ralls, Severn Valley Railway (SVR) general manager, said: “The reality of recession always comes some time after the fact.

“In 2009, so many businesses were saying ‘Recession – what recession?’, but, unfortunately, the effects always catch up later and that is what we are seeing here.

“We have to take it on the chin and draw encouragement from the fact that the leisure and tourism market has slowly started to edge back towards stability.”

The attraction suffered severe disruption during December as ice and snow forced the cancellation of a number of trains.

Train chiefs say despite a poor year passenger figures over the last ten years show the 2010 result is only 5,000 down on the average, which they say only represents five or six fewer passengers per train in the last 12 months.

Spokesman for SVR David Wilcocks, said the attraction could make up for 2010 with successful events in 2011.

He said: “The SVR will promote a big programme of special events in 2011 in its efforts to return to parity.

“One of these includes a three-day Swinging Sixties event in May headlined by leading tribute bands in a series of concerts under the all-glass canopy at Kidderminster station.

“The railway will also wheel out one of the ‘Travelling Post Office’ coaches involved in the notorious 1963 Great Train Robbery.

The SVR re-opens on February 12 after work to tracks at Bewdley and Arley.

For the first six weeks, including the February half-term holidays, the service will be restricted to the northern section of the line between Bridgnorth, Hampton Loade and Highley.

For details on the Severn Valley Railway visit www.svr.co.uk

By Peter Finch