Severn Valley and West Midland Safari Park in rail link talks

Bosses at the Severn Valley Railway and West Midland Safari Park today revealed they were holding talks over the possibility of creating a link between the tourist attractions.

Heritage rail chiefs say they are looking at the option of building a station at the safari park to capitalise on the 750,000 visitors brought in annually by the two attractions.

The heritage railway runs steam hauled trains between Bridgnorth and Kidderminster, and runs alongside the safari park near Bewdley.

Today David Mee, visitor services manager at SVR, said: "If it were to go ahead we would envisage a station at the safari park dropping off and picking up tourists."

The safari park's managing director Ivan Knezovich said: "We are at the very early developmental stages of planning but are actively considering proposals for a direct link to Severn Valley Railway as well as a 1,000 delegate conference centre with hotel and water park."

The plans have been endorsed by the ReWyre group, which is planning a £60 million investment to boost tourism and jobs in Wyre Forest.