Following the devastating landslip between Hampton Loade and Bridgnorth, the Severn Valley Railway has been in discussions with insurers regarding repairs.

The railway says that if the insurance company say that the railway has a valid claim, the railway will still need to pay a significant excess.

£125,000 has been raised in donations which will play an essential role in putting things right.

A third quote for the repairs has been sought by the SVR to be compared with the other two quotes received.

The railway has been working to secure access for plant and machinery to move in to complete the repairs, as well as dealing with the watercourse and power cables.

Monitoring of the site shows no further movement of the embankment and the recent dry weather has kept things in check.

‘We’ve had several site meetings with the loss adjusters. ‘They are considering the situation and will decide whether we have a valid claim. Even if they decide we do have a claim, the railway will have to pay a large excess. We hope to know more by next week. We are incredibly grateful to supporters who’ve donated £125,000 since we broke the news of the landslip. This will play an essential role in putting things right.’

‘We’d love to be able to give a definite timescale for the repair work,’ added Gus. ‘And as soon as we can, we will. No one is keener than we are to get the full line back up and running. However, even if we were able to get spades in the ground in the next few weeks, and that’s by no means certain, it’s going to take until well into the summer before things can be completed.’

Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster, the SVR’s managing director