Two substantial grants have been announced in support of the North Yorkshire Moors Railway’s “Bridge & Wheels” Appeal.
A grant of £300,000 has been awarded by North Yorkshire County Council and a grant of £100,000 has been awarded from the LEADER programme, designed to help rural communities regenerate.
This substantial support, combined with the funds already raised by the Moors Railway, moves the Appeal total to £610,000.
The Railway’s efforts to raise £650,000 by the year end in order to cover the cost of replacing a vital bridge, between Goathland and Grosmont, have moved a big step forward.
County Councillor John Fort, North Yorkshire County Council’s Executive Member for Highways and Transportation, said that the authority had been pleased to lend their support to such an important transport-related scheme.
He said “When we were made aware of the condition of Bridge 30, between Goathland and Grosmont, we felt we had to do something. The council recognises the significant value of this heritage steam railway both as an important transport artery running through the National Park, linking moors and coast, and as a significant contributor to the local tourism economy.
By supporting the renewal of this vital piece of transport infrastructure, it will make all the difference and will help to safeguard the long term future of the Railway.”
Mike Horrocks, North York Moors Coast and Hills LEADER Programme Manager, said: “This is by far the largest grant that LEADER has awarded in the Moors, Coast and Hills area. It is a substantial sum for a substantial project. In agreeing to support the Moors Railway, the local communities will benefit in a number of ways. Firstly, by safeguarding the future of the Railway, we continue to support a number of communities along the line. Secondly, a small portion of the grant will be used to further develop projects that will bring even more tourists into the area. These are projects that will bring the communities together, to make even more of what they have to offer.”
Murray Brown, Chairman of the North York Moors Historical Railway Trust, said that the support was tremendous. He said “This is brilliant news. Everyone is pulling together. We are very close to our year-end goal and are hoping that those who have supported us through the year will help to give one last push to meet our £650,000 target.”
The Railway is hosting a Fundraising Ball this Saturday at the National Railway Museum in York. Amongst the guests will be the Appeal Patron, Pete Waterman.