EURO-MP 'DELIGHTED' AT SEVERN VALLEY RAILWAY REOPENING

9.26.00am GMT Mon 17th Mar 2008

Local Euro-MP Liz Lynne has expressed her delight that the Severn Valley Railway, which was devastated by last summer's floods, is to reopen on Good Friday, nine months after swathes of the track and trackbed were swept away.

After campaigning for EU flood aid to come to the region, including the Railway, Liz visited Highley Station last autumn to see the horrific damage for herself.

Speaking today, Liz Lynne MEP said:

"After seeing the devastation last October, I am thrilled that everyone has pulled together to get the repairs done at last. In particular, the public response to the funding appeal was terrific.

"Large sections of the route had to be completely rebuilt and this is a fantastic achievement. I wish the railway and the SVR team all the very best for a busy upcoming season. At last people will be able to see the new facilities which should have opened last summer.

"With the European Parliament having now approved aid from the EU Solidarity Fund to help with the cost of last year's catastrophic flooding, it is now up to the government to make sure that money gets to where it is needed, including the Railway, as quickly as possible."

The reopening of the SVR comes just days after the European Parliament approved £120 million in aid for the UK to help with the costs of last summer's floods.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

After the flooding hit areas of central and Northern England in summer 2007 Liz Lynne pushed hard for the UK government to apply to the EU Solidarity Fund, which is intended to reimburse non-insured losses, such as emergency assistance and public infrastructure costs. Liz then campaigned at the European Parliament for the application to be approved as quickly as possible, speaking on the subject in the chamber and corresponding with Commissioner Hübner.

Liz Lynne also campaigned for funding for the Severn Valley Railway which was severely damaged by the flooding. The railway is vital to the tourism and leisure economy of Worcestershire and Shropshire in her West Midlands region constituency and it is due to reopen fully on the 21st March 2008.

EU Solidarity Fund: http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/g24217.htm