Cllr Richard Stanley, Leader of Tewkesbury Borough Council, and Rachel Thatcher, Manager of Tewkesbury Heritage & Visitor Centre, visited the Gloucestershire Warwickshire Steam Railway (GWSR) on 01 October to strengthen ties between the council and the heritage railway.
The visit focused on enhancing tourism within the borough, with the GWSR playing a key role in attracting visitors to the area.
The railway, a popular tourist destination carrying over 100,000 passengers annually, runs 14 miles between Cheltenham Race Course and Broadway, much of it within Tewkesbury Borough. The Railway confimed that 2024 is the first time that visitor figures are returning to similar levels as pre-pandemic. Discussions covered a range of topics, including collaborative marketing initiatives to promote both the railway and the wider Tewkesbury area.
Cllr Stanley was impressed by the GWSR’s commitment to sustainability and historical preservation.
“Our borough has a lot to offer visitors, and the GWSR is a major draw. The vibrancy of our borough’s tourism offer plays an important role in supporting the economic success of the area and is a significant tourist attraction, on par with Tewkesbury Abbey and Sudeley Castle. As we develop our presence on various channels to attract visitors, we see great potential in partnering with the railway to promote the area and boost the local economy.
“I was delighted to hear that visitor figures have returned to pre-pandemic levels and interested to learn about their 65 culverts, bridges and drains that carry water across the line, demonstrating their commitment to managing water runoff and mitigating flood risk."
The GWSR, which is largely operated by over 900 volunteers, is committed to preserving the historical integrity of the railway.
Ian Scholey, GWSR Infrastructure Manager, highlighted the ongoing work to stabilise the historic Stanway Viaduct, a project made possible by the dedication of volunteers and innovative engineering solutions.
He said: “The GWSR is a testament to the dedication and diverse skills of our volunteers. They come from all backgrounds, with a shared passion for preserving our railway heritage. These individuals, many of whom are retired, contribute their time and expertise to every aspect of the railway, from maintaining the tracks and restoring locomotives to operating the trains and welcoming passengers.
“Our volunteers are constantly finding innovative solutions to the challenges of maintaining a Victorian railway within limited budgets.
“The recent £0.75m stabilisation of Stanway Viaduct, a critical structure on the line, is a prime example of the ingenuity and commitment to preserving this historical asset for future generations."
The council and the GWSR will continue to collaborate on initiatives aimed at increasing tourism and promoting the unique attractions of North Gloucestershire borough.
