Visitor numbers down at the Severn Valley Railway

Visitor numbers plummeted by 23,000 at the region's heritage Severn Valley Railway over the past year as the economic climate and a freezing winter took their toll.

Figures released today reveal the steam line carried 225, 570 passengers compared to a near record-breaking 248, 570 rail users in 2009.

Bosses were expecting an end-of-season boost during December, which is traditionally the busiest month of the year due to the attraction's Santa-themed trains.

But these hopes were derailed after the Arctic weather struck forcing the cancellation of a number of trains.

A points failure at Kidderminster station on Christmas Eve also caused six of the day's scheduled 11 trains to be cancelled. SVR general manager Nick Ralls said the drop was disappointing and the attraction would be working hard in 2011 to raise visitor numbers.

"The reality of a recession always comes some time after the fact," he said.

"In 2009 so many businesses were saying 'What recession?' but unfortunately the effects always catch up later and that is what we are seeing here.

"We have to take it on the chin and draw encouragement from the fact the leisure and tourism market is now starting to edge back towards stability.

"The severe winter did not help as some trains had to be cancelled." Mr Ralls said the attraction, which runs on a 16-mile track between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth, was planning a series of specials during the year including a Swinging 60s event in May.

And he said successes such as allowing youngsters to travel for £1 during the summer holidays, which attracted 40,000 people in August, is expected to be repeated.

Major £500,000 engineering works are being done at the railway with new drainage being laid at Arley station and work to the railway bridge at Bewdley station.

The attraction will partially reopen on February 12 operating weekends and during the school holidays. Reopening of the whole length of the line is scheduled for March.

Special events planned on the railway this year include a classic transport day at Highley on February 19, a series of scenic evening rail cruises with optional fish and chip suppers throughout the spring and summer, a Sounds of the Sixties event with tribute bands from May 20-22, 1940s weekends in June and July and a Great Train Dance on July 27.

On July 23 and 24 the popular annual 'Severn Valley in Bloom' event will showcase floral displays at stations and on August 27,28 and 29 the seaside comes to the Midlands for a "seaside special" featuring traditional attractions such as Punch and Judy, candy floss and children's rides. An autumn steam gala is on in September.