Bank helps Churnet Valley railway get back on track

Churnet Valley Railway is expanding and developing its visitor facilities after switching its banking to Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank.

Anthony Hancock, Chairman of Churnet Valley Railway said: “We are planning to develop the railway by extending platforms, create additional visitor facilities and ultimately extending the current line to Leek. Our visitor numbers are increasing year on year and the developments are required not only to maintain the railway, but also to enable us to offer a great day out for our thousands of visitors each year. Switching toAlliance & Leicester Commercial Bankhas enabled us to put our plans into action and even saved us money in the process.”

The Churnet Valley Railway is the second most popular tourist attraction in the region, carrying nearly 60,000 people a year through Staffordshire’s beautiful Churnet Valley. The route runs between Leekbrook Junction, Cheddleton, Consall and Froghall bringing tourism to the region and boosting the local economy.

Craig Iley, Senior Business Banking Manager at Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank said: “The Churnet Valley Railway has been lovingly restored over the last 35 years, thanks to the dedicated support of its volunteers, shareholders and Directors, who contribute vast amounts of time, money and equipment in order to maintain the railway. This deal will not only help Churnet Valley Railway to expand and develop its service, but will also secure its future for future generations to enjoy.”

Craig Iley continues: “We are delighted to lend our support to such an important historical attraction. Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank has experience helping heritage railways to expand and achieve their full potential, having supported the North Yorkshire Moors Railway to secure their long term future.”

Churnet Valley Railway once formed part of the North Staffordshire Railway, which was the old main line between Manchester and London. The line first opened in 1849 and went on to play a key role in the Second World War by being one of the main transport routes due to the line being largely hidden from view. The line continued running until the Beeching review in the 1960’s.

In the mid 1970’s, the local authority acquired Cheddleton Station and had started to dismantle it, when the North Staffordshire Railway Society stepped in to preserve the station building. In 1978 the North Staffordshire Railway Company Ltd was formed to provide limited liability for its members. In 1992 a light railway order was granted and the Churnet Valley Railway was born. In 1995, Churnet Valley Railway purchased the line from British Rail and since that time, the line has been lovingly restored and gradually brought back into use.

Anthony Hancock continues: “The Railway now runs a full service and caters for weddings, special events and ghost trains. Our long term plan is to extend the line into Leek, the main town in the region and build an educational visitor centre, so people can learn more about the railway and the region’s history. The deal with Alliance & Leicester Commercial Bank has enabled us to kick start these plans and our continued relationship with the bank will secure the long term future of this historic railway.”