Bridgnorth Cliff Railway repairs could see council tax rise

The Bridgnorth Cliff Railway has been closed for almost a year

People in Bridgnorth are being asked to pay more council tax to fund repairs to protect the town's cliff railway.

It has been closed since December on safety grounds after damage was discovered to the retaining wall.

Initially thought to affect only a small section, repairs were ultimately expanded from 7.5m to 65.5m of the wall.

The town council said the £750,000 cost could be partially met by a £500,000 loan.

The closure of the railway, which connects Low Town to High Town, also led to 14 redundancies and is believed to have affected businesses in the town over the last year.

One of the oldest and steepest funicular railways in the UK, it has operated for more than 100 years and transports people 34m (111ft) down the cliffside.

Bridgnorth Cliff Railway is one of the country's oldest and steepest inland funicular railways

Railway owner Malvern Tipping said its future depended on the repairs being carried out.

He said: "We're anxious for it to reopen because the longer the cliff railway is closed, the greater its reserves will be depleted.

"We have major upgrades planned - but until we know it's got a future we can't undertake those upgrades.

"If all the funds are depleted, we might be forced to close."

Bridgnorth residents will now be asked whether they agree with the council's plans.

'Huge amount'

If it takes out the 25-year, £500,000 loan, people will be asked to pay an extra £8 a year on their council tax.

However, if it does not borrow the money, the town council said people could see a one-off rise of £100 to fund it.

Councillor Chris Aked told BBC Radio Shropshire: "It's a huge amount for a town council - in fact it's more than all the money we take in every year through council tax.

"The council does have some funds held in reserve, but nowhere near the amount required.

"It now intends to take out a loan from the government to cover the cost."

Drop-in sessions will take part throughout Low Town and High Town for residents to discuss the plans.

A consultation will take place between 27 November and 10 January.