Cash boost a 'Christmas gift' for railway volunteers

The East Lancashire Railway Trust has been awarded the funds from the government and local councils

A £1m cash injection for a heritage railway has been described as a "massive vote of confidence" for the dedicated volunteers working to restore it.

The East Lancashire Railway Trust has been awarded the funds from the government and local councils to carry out urgent repair work to the Higher Woodhill viaduct, on the edge of Burrs Country Park.

Volunteers have been working since the 1980s to preserve the twelve-and-a-half-mile (20 km) railway that runs between Heywood, Bury and Rawtenstall.

Trust chairman Mike Kelly said the cash for the viaduct was "fantastic news" that would help secure the railway's future.

About £1m was awarded the the trust from the government's Community Ownership Fund to go towards the viaduct's restoration.

Local authorities in Bury, Rochdale and Rossendale put forward a further £276,000 in match funding, while contributions have also been made by supporters of the railway, members of the public and local businesses.

The funding boost will allow essential maintenance to start on the structure next year.

'Christmas gift'

The Woodhill Viaduct in the Irwell Valley goes past the site of the former Higher Woodhill Mill and was last repaired in 1932.

Regular inspections of the structure found no question marks around its safety, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

But the trust found long term repairs were required to allow for the continued level of use of steam and heritage diesel trains.

"There are a great many important Victorian structures along our 12 miles of railway, which thousands of our visitors travel over or under each year, but don't often see their splendour," Mr Kelly said.

"Now with this fantastic news, we are able to continue running our award-winning events and services without disruption for future generations to enjoy," he added.

Meanwhile, James Frith, Labour MP for Bury North, said the award of government cash was a "fantastic Christmas gift for our town".

"The East Lancashire Railway is a special part of our town's heritage and culture, and I know everyone in Bury will be pleased that with this funding the future of the railway is secured."