Future of Bridgnorth’s famous cliff railway secured
Bridgnorth’s famous cliff railway was secured last week after a deal reached in the European Parliament by Shropshire's local West Midlands MEP Daniel Dalton.
Today, Mr Dalton and Ludlow MP Philip Dunne delivered the good news personally to the owner of the railway. The plan had been to standardise all parts and mechanisms for cableways across Europe. However, historic attractions like Bridgnorth would have found this rule impossible because it uses specially engineered parts because of its age.
Mr Dalton said, "The Bridgnorth Cliff Railway is an unique attraction and one that can’t be defined by a standardised law. It’s parts and mechanisms are unique only to Bridgnorth and therefore winning the exemption was imperative for the future of the railway.”
The railway carries 340,000 passengers a year and a recent study estimated it is worth over a million pounds to the town’s economy every year.
Ludlow MP Philip Dunne said: "I am delighted Bridgnorth’s Cliff Railway will remain excluded from these new rules. I pay tribute to the hard work of Dan Dalton MEP for his efforts to support this historic Bridgnorth attraction. This shows how important it is to have real representation in the European Parliament, rather than grandstanding.”
Owner, Dr Malvern Tipping, added: “I would like to thank Daniel for understanding and appreciating our unique and often difficult position. In 2017 we celebrate our 125th birthday and I am delighted and relieved that this exemption secures our future."
