AN agreement which will help to financially support the West Somerset Railway while it is unable to run trains, has been reached between the WSR and the trustees of the West Somerset Railway Association, it was announced this week:

Under the agreement, the association has sold its promotions business – which operates a shop and café at Bishops Lydeard and a restoration workshop at Williton – to the Plc.

An association spokesman said: “The WSR will pay the association an agreed sum of £90,721 for the assets of the business.

“The association will loan £70,000 to support the WSR, which has been prevented from operating by the Covid-19 restrictions. The low-interest loan is secured by charges on two WSR-owned coaches.”

Mike Sherwood, acting association chairman, said: “I am pleased that we have been able to conclude this matter to the satisfaction of both parties.

“The WSRA will now be able to give its full attention to fundraising on behalf of the railway, to further supplement the financial support we are already providing at Williton, Minehead and to the rail renewal campaign.”

Jonathan Jones-Pratt, chairman of the West Somerset Railway plc, said: “Both parties have worked hard to bring this matter to a successful conclusion. We can now move on to focus on the preparations and funding necessary to bring the railway back into operation”