OLD PRESS RELEASES & CHAIRMAN'S UPDATES

21st Oct 2003
We have just had our stand at the Brunton Steam Rally; in spite of dodgy weather, the event (the 29th) was the biggest yet, with more stands, more Traction Engines, more Vintage cars, etc. Trade on our stand was slow, as not so many of the rural types who attend are hooked on Thomas the Tank Engine or Bob the Builder, our most profitable stock-in-trade. But on the next stand to ours was a chap with an amazing computerized machine, embroidering logos to order on caps and sweatshirts; we are now looking into getting some shirts done with our logo (as on the front cover of The Link) for sale; and also getting some enamel badges made. These are two items that every other Heritage railway seems to sell.
But we had much support and encouragement from many visitors to the stand, who read all our display material and chatted to Ken, Chris, or Neil. Again and again they said "once you've got a bit line down, it'll really take off". I've heard this so often I could scream, but I've just been down to Devon for my annual week's timeshare on the Lynton & Barnstaple Rly. The L. & B. Association has been in existence for over 20 years, and now has over 1200 members countrywide; they have huge problems, owning less than 2 miles of the 19 mile trackbed, which was all sold off in 1935, and having had, adjoining their Woody Bay base, NIMBY's who make our little darlings seem almost friendly. But, this year, for the first time, they have laid 400 yd of track, and have had locos running on it. Although they can't carry passengers yet, the difference in morale and in public support is tremendous.
So, can we do likewise ?
You all know the steps we need to take: get a lease for Alnmouth yard: find a way of getting vehicle access to it: clearing and surfacing the trackbed. That's before we can lay rail, move in our rolling-stock, or start any sort of running. Simultaneously we have to get more money, Planning permission, and ultimately Transport & Works Order. End of sermon.

10th September 2003

Not very much to report since I last wrote. Martin Robinson and I had a site meeting, at the Railway Cottages, with the Transport Officer of Northumberland C.C.; it was his criticism of the traffic arrangements that was probably the main cause of Alnwick planners’ potential rejection of our Planning Application. We explained to him that in view of his remarks we were removing the Visitor Centre etc. from the application, which should prevent the traffic from exceeding normal domestic levels. Parking for seven or eight cars can be provided. He indicated that these alterations would answer his misgivings. We also showed him the entry from Station road into Bilton Mill Lane; as we expected, he said that this would not be suitable for a public access to our station – the idea of a trackway down the field, entering the station site from the West, had been floated. Martin is still waiting to have a meeting with Alnwick District Council (A.D.C.) officers.

In my last report I mentioned the visit of Mr Heath, on behalf of Virgin Trains. He has now written to me as he promised. His main point is that Virgin has never been the lessee of any station, and it is thus unlikely that they would take on Alnmouth, particularly as it is likely to need expensive upgrading.

On this same topic, of the shortcomings of Alnmouth (even if ‘For Alnwick’) station there has just been another meeting chaired by Alnwick D.C. at which all the interested parties were represented – Northumberland C.C., Arriva, Virgin, GNER, Network Rail, Northumberland Estates, The Alnwick Garden, and our goodselves.

Scott Wilson, the consultants, presented a report (commissioned by N.C.C.) on the upgrading of the station, particularly in respect of Car Parking, the Bus-stop arrangements, and Disabled Access to the Down platform. Martin Robinson had attended many of the discussions during the report’s preparation. Among the suggestions in the report were alterations costed at between £500 and £2,000,000. Guess which ones got the more favourable reception!
The proposals included some which envisaged a Car Park to the South of Station Road and West of the Main Line – the original suggestion in our earliest plans; but they did not include for the tunnel under the road, which is the really difficult bit.
The meeting finally agreed that the possibility of using the Jarvis compound as extra parking should be looked at, and also the question of having the station manned throughout operating hours (which would make the present arrangement for Disabled crossing of the tracks more acceptable). Not a dramatic conclusion, but it is very good that A.D.C. manages to get so many important parties round the same table.

A few weeks ago, I explored the By-pass end of our trackbed. A fenced-off access from the Alnmouth road has been provided up the edge of the by-pass cutting. Eastwards to the Alndyke farm track there is then only a narrow footpath until we do some clearing. However, from there onwards the trackbed (which is used extensively by the farmer) has been levelled and surfaced with some form of chippings. This has been done since the timber extraction earlier in the year, which had left the track a quagmire from 100m West of the viaduct.
However the access from the road to the trackbed is on the farmer’s land, and we should use it with discretion, even if the motorcyclists are not so considerate.

10th, July, 2003

There is another letter from Alan Morris in today’s Gazette. Apart from some abuse of William, it mentions two officials, one at A.D.C. and one at Northumberland County Council, who appear to have pronounced unfavourably on our Application.
I am going to look at the file at Allerburn House.

9th, July, 2003

Further publicity has followed after the stuff I mentioned last time, all triggered by our wanting to buy the Station Cottages at ‘Alnmouth for Alnwick ‘. The Journal, The Northumberland Gazette, Radio Newcastle, Heritage Railway…. and no doubt some others that I’ve missed. The combined efforts of excitable journalists and Alan Morris (Bilton’s well-known local activist) have led to figures of ‘millions’ - either pounds or motorists - being bandied about, in spite of attempts by Martin and William to get things back to reality.

The activists have also been besieging the Planning Department of Alnwick District Council, to such effect that one of A.D.C.’s officers indicated that our Planning Application might be recommended for refusal. This led Martin to withdraw the application, with a view to re-applying in a modified form. He and I are now waiting to have a meeting with a senior officer of the Council, to discuss the matter; remember that A.D.C. are now the lead member of the Partnership set up to forward the railway project.
It seems clear that the Activists’ real objection is to the A.V.R. as a whole, and that they will continue to try every trick in the book to impede us. It was of course they who dredged up the requirement that we must have planning permission before A.D.C. could sell the cottages to us. Ah well, we must soldier on.

Following the visit of Chris Green for the station re-naming, Virgin have sent someone specifically to visit and report on the Aln Valley Railway. This was Mr Heath, an eminent semi-retired railwayman of the old school, who acts in a consultant (I think) capacity to Virgin, and who has a major involvement in at least two other Heritage railways. He came on Monday last (July 7th). Stuart and I met him at Alnmouth , where he emerged from the driver’s cab of the 09.00 Virgin train ! He was extremely pleasant and approachable, and proceeded to walk the trackbed with us from Bridge 3 back to Branch End, and then along to the Viaduct. Fortunately the relatively dry weather meant that the usual mud and puddles were absent.
We then took him to Alnwick Station, viewing the By-pass crossing point on the way. Stuart showed him all round the station, including Penicuik, the Ruston 48, and the Ticket Office, and he was suitably impressed.
There was then a long discussion in which he gave us the benefit of his experience, and advised us on various particular points, both as regarding relations with Network Rail etc., and on how to proceed as a Heritage railway.
We really have no idea what he will report back to Virgin, or whether it will lead to any help for us. It does seem as though the whole question of upgrading Alnmouth station, and of who should undertake it, is still undecided.
So, as usual, it’s a matter of waiting.

6th June 2003

Our Planning Application for the make-over of Station Cottages was submitted on about May 16th, and at the same time Martin Robinson put out a Press Release. This generated immediate publicity. First a spread in The Journal for May 16th, complete with Ken Middlemist’s smiling face: the following week our local NIMBY emerged from the woodwork (Journal May 21st) to complain about the extra traffic that might be caused – but answered in the same column by Martin. Robert Brooks, The Journal’s Alnwick reporter, does a slick job for us.

Next, Janet Coltman rings me up from the Northumberland Gazette, wanting to take my photo at the Cottages: this appeared, with an article, at the top of the front page on May 22nd - I’m afraid I looked rather smug.
Finally, on 22nd, I came in from mending the motor-mower to find a message on my Answerphone – please ring Radio Newcastle; when I did so, it was too late, they had given up on me and found Martin instead. This was lucky for me, as they wanted Martin in their studio at 7.15 a.m. next day – but lucky for us too as he not only got there on time but did an excellent spiel just after the 7.30 news.

After all this news excitement, I myself attended on 23rd at Virgin Trains’ ceremony of Re-naming Alnmouth Station. It’s now (wait for it) Alnmouth for Alnwick ! It’s also upgraded to be called a Railhead; I think they’d have liked to call it Alnwick Parkway if only the parking wasn’t so inadequate at present. The unveiling of a commemorative plaque was performed jointly by His Grace the Duke and Alan Beith M.P., while a Scots piper played.

The event also celebrated the vastly improved Virgin train service at Alnmouth. During it, and also at the Buffet afterwards, I had the chance to talk to several of the Personalities present, including Chris Green, the C.E.O. of Virgin Trains and Colin Harris, their Regional Manager N. E.. I was able to interest the latter in our ideas for providing a wheel-chair access ramp from behind the cottages to the Down (Northbound) Mainline platform, and also a disabled Toilet, two items which Virgin are under some pressure to provide.

It was important to note that both in the formal speeches, and in conversations afterwards, there seemed to be universal acceptance of the Aln Valley Railway as part of the scene. Whilst he was waiting for his return train, Mr Green was taken to see Alnwick Station, where Gordon Castle did the honours, not only showing him the Station (and a few railway Books of course) but also our Display Boards, and presenting him with our Brochure and the latest Link. Many thanks Gordon.

On the guest list (though I did not meet him) was Peter Myers representing Arriva. Members will remember that in the early days of the A.V.R., Arriva were uncooperative, and refused to consider allowing us to use the back of the Down platform for our trains. I understand that with the arrival of Mr Myers, the situation is quite changed, and that the platform may now be available to us; this obviously will be a great help, both relieving us of the cost of building a separate platform, and making transfer between trains much easier. Don’t open the Champagne yet, though, I can see a lot of complicated negotiations ahead.
Our next milestone will I hope be the granting of our Planning Permission, and completion of our purchase of the cottages. At which time we’ll do another update.

May, 2003 - Aln Valley Railway commences.

The new heritage railway for Alnwick in Northumberland is finally getting going.

A planning application has been lodged by the Aln Valley Railway Trust this week to convert the station cottages at Alnmouth on the East Coast mainline into a visitor centre and holiday accommodation.

The project to reopen the former branch line connecting Alnwick - the seat of the Duke of Northumberland - with the East Coast Main Line at Alnmouth was launched six years ago and the visitor centre including shop displays and a cafe will be the first tangible element.

The Northumbrian market town of Alnwick has recently come to prominence with the opening of the impressive new water-garden last year by the Prince of Wales and the Castle’s recent regular appearances in blockbuster films.

Mr Kay Seymour-Walker Chairman of the Railway commenting today on the planning application said:

“ We have been hard at work behind the scenes on this for the last six years and it has now started to get up a head of steam. The establishment of a visitor centre and base in the cottages at Alnmouth Station will be the first stage in reopening the line to steam trains since 1966.”

The heritage railway will start from Alnmouth Station adjacent to the East Coast Main Line and run to the Alnwick with a new cycleway provided alongside.

Later stages will involve bridging of the A1 and South Road and routing into Alnwick Station will happen as soon as funding permits.

“We are convinced that reopening the railway along with the associated cycleway will further boost the area’s attractiveness to a wider range of visitors bolstered by recent publicity for the Alnwick Garden and the town as a wonderful place to live”. Said Kay .“Visitors will soon be able to get a taster of this in our new centre at Alnmouth Station.

“We are relishing the prospect of steam trains running from Alnmouth once more where they will link up with the improved services now being provided on the East Coast Main Line”.

The District Council are expected to decide the planning application shortly.

20th March, 2003

The Aln Valley Railway Trust is pleased to announce that work on the railway should begin this year. Thanks to the help of many people, the basic funding package for Phase 1 is in place; and with a fair wind, work could start at the Alnmouth Station site as early as June.

There are still hurdles to be jumped and permits to be obtained. With the help of Railtrack, Northern Spirit and other sponsors, however, there is good reason to believe that these hurdles will be overcome. And that trains will be running along the Aln Valley before the end of 2001.

It is four years since the project was launched, and there have been many setbacks. Most serious was the failure of the Heritage Lottery Fund to support the project. This failure was particularly galling because by that time the Trust was able to provide much of the necessary 'matching funding'. The lack of HLF backing also led directly to the loss of promised ERDF funding for the initial part of the project.

However, thanks to the backing of a 300-strong Society and a wide range of commercial support (both in cash and with 'help-in-kind'), it has proved possible to rescue the project. A very helpful boost came from the Regional Development Agency, One NorthEast, who agreed last November to take on the bulk of the of the preliminary development costs. Finally, the Duke of Northumberland and Northumberland Estates have agreed to cover the remaining shortfall, which will allow the project to begin.

The original hope was to build the complete railway in one go. As there is no immediate possibility of Lottery or ERDF funding, however, the project has necessarily been broken down into three successive phases, each phase dependent upon the completion of the one before it.

The three phases are:

· Establishing a base at Alnmouth Station, with basic facilities for locomotives and stock;

· Extending a line towards Alnwick as far as possible, up to a maximum distance of two miles.

· Running trains along this line as a straightforward tourist attraction.

· Providing a Sustrans cycleway and footpath alongside the railway.

Overall cost of Phase 1: around £1m, of which approximately one third is cash, and the rest 'help-in-kind'.

PHASE 2.

· Building two bridges so that the railway could then enter Alnwick station area at a temporary platform outside the station building. This would allow the railway, in conjunction with Northern Spirit, to run both service and tourist trains to Newcastle.

ERDF and regeneration budget support will be essential to achieve this phase.

PHASE 3.

· Restoring Alnwick Station building and a platform therein;

· Adding visitor facilities as appropriate. Although the Heritage Lottery Fund was unable to support the whole project, they indicated a strong possibility that they could help with this phase. Alnwick Station is a Grade II listed building and would become easily the most imposing station of any of the Heritage Railways in Britain.

It is fair to say that the future of Alnwick and District is looking bright. Given that we seem to have a reasonable resolution of the Safeway dispute, the way seems clear for a great leap forward for the area. The Duchess's Garden, the town museum, the sports centre and now the railway all seem to have realistic chances of materializing. All of these projects will greatly enhance the facilities and attractions of Mid-Northumberland, with the railway linking Alnwick to the coastal attractions of Alnmouth and Amble.

As far as the railway is concerned, there is much work to be done. The Aln Valley Railway Society would be delighted to hear from further supporters who want to be a part of this project. Joining the Society brings with it four issues per year of their excellent magazine 'The Link', which keeps you up to date with developments, travel concessions on the railway when built, - and the chance to join in the construction and operational work of a real railway. AVRS Secretary William Stafford, tel: (01665) 604969, is the contact for further details.

Past Disappointment

The Society was dealt a severe blow by the Heritage Lottery Fund in 1999 when they turned down the very comprehensive bid. Initial reaction was one of astonishment and bitter disappointment however, the Society Committee vowed to keep on the fight for funding. This was endorsed by the members who attended the Extraordinary General Meeting which was held on 29.4.99 at The Northumberland Hall, Alnwick.