Southwold Railway Steam Park Approved - February 2009

The Southwold Railway Trust is very pleased to announce that its planning application for the Southwold Railway Steam Park was approved by Waveney District Council Development Control Committee on 18th February. The Trust has already set up a heritage project to create a replica 2-4-2 Sharp Stewart tank locomotive likely to cost about £200,000. The “Loco Fund”, thanks to the support of members and others visiting the Southwold Railway Shop in Southwold High Street (No 27) , currently stands at around £8,000. The Trust had been seeking suitable local premises for the construction of the locomotive and also considering ways in which the necessary monies might be raised. So we mooted the idea of the Southwold Steam Railway Park which addresses both of these problems in a way which also provides an asset to the community.

Discussions have been held with Mr Graham Murray who currently owns and runs Sole Bay Car Spares and Waste Management Facility at the end of Blyth Road at the edge of the Town. Originally this 1 hectare (2.5 acre) site was used as the Town refuse tip receiving rubbish via local dustcarts. The detritus was subsequently buried and the current car-breaking use established. No new buildings are proposed but the existing shed recycled to house an engine shed and workshop, entrance area, office, shop, café, kitchen, museum and toilets. Scrap vehicles will be removed from most of the site and good quality topsoil will be added to the surface, which will be minimally disturbed.

The Park would consist of a 2ft gauge looped track in a landscaped garden site, the idea being to provide an attractive environment much in the manner of Bressingham. Visitors would have access to the museum and facilities, and see work under way in the workshop. Rides on the trains would, of course, be available. The project will include upgrading the existing access track and footpath for the benefit of all users.

The engine shed and workshop would shelter the fabrication of the “Sharpie”. It would be the wish of the Board that the facilities could provide an engineering experience for young people perhaps in conjunction with another institution such as Lowestoft College.

A car park for 40 vehicles is proposed but access on foot or bicycle would be encouraged. The Trust would also consider the provision, during peak times, of a historic bus or coach on a circular route linking, say, the Pier, the Market Place, the Harbour, The Railway Park, Reydon Corner and the Randolph.

The experience of the Southwold Railway Shop set up by the Trust in 2005 has shown that a large number of visitors to the town have great interest in the Southwold Railway and indeed railways generally. In fact, a recent survey in a national newspaper showed that 40% of people would like to see the return of steam railways. The expectation is that the Park will be successful.

The Trust has a lot of work to do, and a lot of money to raise. Naturally it will be producing a full business plan in discussion with the current site owner prior to seeking funding from various sources. It is also necessary to undertake a more detailed assessment of the contamination and agree a surface for the access lane.

The Trust would be very pleased to hear from any individual or organisation that could help in any way with this project..