News Article

One North East’s Project Executive Panel today (Tuesday August 16) approved an application for funding from the County Durham Economic Partnership to support the Weardale Railway.

The Partnership’s successful application for an additional £130,850 - on top of the £46,275 already invested this year - of funding from One North East will help relaunch of the rural County Durham rail link.

Weardale Railway was mothballed in January following substantial cash flow difficulties, One North East Director of Regeneration and Tourism, John Holmes, said: “The previous problems of Weardale Railway are well documented, but we have worked incredibly hard with our partners to ensure that the new business plan is robust, sustainable and will deliver for the people of Weardale.

”We are confident that the new arrangements that are being put in place will mean that a viable heritage line can now be operated, attracting tourists and providing a link to existing and future visitor attractions in the dale.” 

Durham County Councillor Brian Walker, Chair of the County Durham Economic Partnership said: "We are delighted with today's announcement. It is the culmination of substantial work over recent months by the Railway and its funders."

"We can now progress towards what has always been our prime objective, getting the railway operating again. I believe that in the long-term the railway and the visitors it brings to Weardale will be good for local businesses and help with our shared plans for the on-going regeneration of one of England's loveliest Dales."

Since Weardale Railway went into voluntary administration in January, One North East has provided £46,275 of interim funding to facilitate the viability of work carried out by administrators PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

The purpose of the funding is to secure a not for profit partner, which will manage the operation on a day-to-day basis and cover any future deficits, reducing the risk to all other partners involved in the project.

The partnership will lead to a long-term future for a heritage railway in Weardale.

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For more information please contact: Bryn Littleton, press office, One North East on Tel: (0191) 2296713, mobile no: 07717 468918.   
e-mail : bryn.littleton@onenortheast.co.uk