Cliff railway closed after rain damages nearby power cables
One of Shropshire most unique attractions and a crucial mode of transport had to close after heavy rain caused damage to power cables nearby.
Bridgnorth Cliff Railway was closed after rain damaged cables at the Stoneway Steps, causing them to short-circuit and start burning. No damage was caused to either the cliff railway or its property, but the decision was taken as a health and safety precaution. The railway will reopen tomorrow.
The fire brigade has been in attendance and Western Power has been notified so that they may render their cables safe, railway chairman Malvern Tipping has said.
"I was notified of the incident caused by weather damage to the electric cables by the general manager," said Dr Tipping. "He advises me that the cliff railway shall now remain closed until Tuesday, May 4 in the morning to enable Western Power to deal with the electrical cabling at the Stoneway Steps approaching our bottom station. The cliff railway is entirely unaffected by the sparking cables, but our foreman took the decision to close early today on health and safety grounds. That was entirely the right call. The general manager intends to re-open the cliff railway first thing tomorrow morning when a normal service is expected to recommence."
Shropshire Fire and Rescue Service said: "At 3.30pm, we received a call reporting a fire classified as electricity cable in Bridgnorth.
"One fire appliance was mobilised from Bridgnorth. Area made safe by fire service, incident handed over to Western Power."
