The Plym Valley Railway has announced that they have received £13,900 from the UK Government's Culture Recovery Fund.
The money will go towards the costs of reopening the railway following months of closure following the full national lockdown due to COVID-19.
Work the railway will be carrying includes essential track and infrastructure maintenance, to implementing COVID-19 social distancing and other safety measures.
About the Culture Recovery Fund
Set up and funded by the UK Government, the Culture Recovery Fund provides financial support to thousands of businesses and organisations across the UK to help survive and recover from the effects of COVID-19.
Almost 4,000 cinemas, performance venues, museums, heritage sites and other cultural organisations have received funds to date.
April 2021 has seen the second round of payouts made, with this support more aimed towards helping business prepare for reopening in Spring and Summer 2021.
About the Plym Valley Railway
Running on the old Launceston Branch Line originally built by South Devon and Tavistock Railway, the Plym Valley Railway reopened as a preserved line in 2008, operating both steam and diesel trains along their mile and a half of track.
The railway reopens from Sunday 18th of April 2021, with the following changes implemented across the line:
- Allocated seating
- Regular coach and building ‘fogging'
- Hand sanitiser available
- Takeaway only food service
- Table cleaning indicators
- One way systems
- Carriage Dividers
For more information or to book your seats now, please visit the Plym Valley Railway's website here.
Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said: “Our record breaking Culture Recovery Fund has already helped thousands of culture and heritage organisations across the country survive the biggest crisis they've ever faced. Now we're staying by their side as they prepare to welcome the public back through their doors – helping our cultural gems plan for reopening and thrive in the better times ahead.”
Daniel Phillips, said: We really appreciate being awarded this funding and thank the Government for recognising us as it will allow us to quickly reopen and run train services again”.
CEO of The National Lottery Heritage Fund Ros Kerslake said: “Spring is definitely here, bringing not only sunshine but that sense of optimism and hope for the future. We are all looking forward to heritage places and other visitor attractions reopening and I am very pleased that we have been able to support DCMS in delivering this vital funding to ensure the UK's heritage sector can rebuild and thrive, boosting local economies, creating jobs and supporting personal wellbeing.”
Chief Executive of Historic England Duncan Wilson said: “The value of our heritage sites and the people who run them has been amply demonstrated, as they have provided an anchor for so many of us through the dark days of the last year. Vital grants from the Culture Recovery Fund have helped them survive and will now help them recover, as the places we all cherish start to reopen in the months ahead.”
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Well I’ll Be… the Plym Valley Railway (in Devon), are ever so Lucky, Thanks to the so-called Cultural Recovery Fund.
I Also Wish this Picture-Perfectively Versatile West Country Heritage Railway… Good Luck, During the rest of 2021.