Dismay as vandals hit steps near Bridgnorth Cliff Railway

Malvern Tipping, who owns the cliff railway, said they were saddened and annoyed at the now-damaged stone work.

The vandals broke off a hand rail on the Stoneway Steps – the stairway connecting High Town with Low Town - on New Year's Eve.

They carried the handrail down the steps, still connected to the supporting posts, before hurling it outside the entrance to the Cliff Railway.

Dr Tipping said the matter would now be taken up with police.

“We are saddened and annoyed at the damaged stonework, as it formed part of an extensive restoration of the station from about four years ago for which we paid nearly £30,000," he said.

"We spent such a large some of money not only to enhance the entrance, which visitors see as a gateway to the town, but also as an improvement to local amenities for the benefit of residents and visitors alike.

"Since the matter is now one of criminal damage to our property, the cliff railway’s general manager, Karl Braden, is now being instructed to take the matter up with the police.”

Dr Tipping said he believed the handrail on the steps had been loose for some time.

Replacements

Shropshire Council said the damaged rails and posts will be replaced.

Graham Downes, Shropshire Council’s highways manager for the south east, said: “We have instructed our contractors Kier to remove damaged railings and posts and will be arranging for replacements.”

The council will replace the handrail, a galvanised tubular railing, like for like.

Anybody with information about the vandalism is asked to call police on 101.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or crimestoppers-uk.org

It is the latest spate of vandalism near the cliff railway.

In November somebody smashed safety fencing at Castle Walk, which had been put up by Shropshire Council because of concerns over a leaning garden wall.

But in the middle of the night, someone attacked the large metal fence, almost folding it in two.

Dr Tipping said police investigating the crime had looked at CCTV footage of the damage being done, but a spider on the device made the vandal difficult to make out.