Following a serious landslip near Sterns on the Shropshire section of the Severn Valley railway in January, Severn Valley Railway have a new update.

Since the landslip, there have been numerous fundraising efforts to fix the issue.

From Train Sim live streams, help from Network Rail, and appeal support from Francis Bourgeois, they have had no shortage of support.

They released an update back in February and another in April. They now have further information on the repairs.

At the current stage, there is no set start date for the repairs on the landslip. However, huge progress has been made in the last few weeks.

Last week, on May 1st, the Severn Valley Railway signed a contract with CML, a civil engineering contractor. They have now almost completed the design work for the repairs.

Work is planned to begin soon, with the removal of the track around the landslip in preparation for contractors to begin.

The SVR has stated that they need to resolve a number of outstanding approval issues to ensure work can begin.

A large section of approvals surrounds the brook below, which requires extensive ecological reports and flood risk analysis.

Members from the railway explained details on the work and the issues they are facing.

Antony Bartlam, the SVR’s consultant civil and structural engineer, explained: ‘The main issue is getting approval for works in Mor Brook itself. Shropshire County Council manages this, and the approval process requires substantial documentation, including ecological reports and flood risk analysis. There is no set timescale for the approval, and it could take weeks or months.

‘Shropshire South MP Stuart Anderson visited the site recently. He has urged the council to resolve the approvals quickly, and we are very grateful for his help with this.

‘We’re in the final stages of getting approval for land-access across the field, and from National Grid for access under their high-voltage cables.’

‘It’s a very complex engineering problem. CML tell us it’s one of the most difficult reinstatements they have had to deal with. The brick arch has to have a balanced load applied, so in order to reinstate the collapsed side, the earth on the opposite side must be removed, then put back equally.

‘The new wing wall will be formed of Legato blocks with geotextile membrane to anchor the blocks into the embankment. There’ll be concrete panels over the bridge and landslip to spread the load evenly once the works are completed. CML’s designers have produced some impressive 3D models of the works, which we hope to share in due course.’

The SVR’s managing director Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster added:‘CML are already procuring the materials, and as soon as we get the approvals in place, they’ll start on site. I appreciate it has taken a long time to get to this stage, but it was essential that we waited for insurance approvals.

‘Had we made a start without insurance agreement, then the claim would have been invalidated immediately.  Our insurers have gone through due diligence to ensure our claim was valid, carrying out their own structural surveys.

‘Naturally, the SVR must pay an excess, and also pay for works that are not covered under the insurance policy. However, we are confident the monies raised so far will cover this.

‘We urge members of the public to keep away from the area, which is a construction site. Only authorised personnel can visit, and we don’t want the contractor or our own permanent way team distracted by dealing with sightseers.

‘We will post regular updates on our website and social media platforms with videos and photographs to keep everyone informed. Be assured, we’re doing everything possible to get the SVR fully reopened as soon as possible.’

The railway will be continuing its run on the 12-mile section of the line between Kidderminster and Hampton Loade until further notice.