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After a delay while On 23 July 1868 an Act of Parliament was passed allowing more time extending the deadline for completionto 23 July 1861. Following the passing of that Act, construction work began in August 1858.<ref>Nabarro (1971), p. 34.</ref> On 9 August Fowler reported to the half-yearly shareholders' meeting that:<ref>Nabarro (1971), p. 35.</ref>
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==1858==
The contract between the [[The Severn Valley Railway under GWR/BR ownership#The_Severn_Valley_Railway_Company|Severn Valley Railway Company]] and the appointed Contractors Peto, Brassey and Betts for construction of the 40 miles of railway between [[Hartlebury]] and [[Shrewsbury]] was completed on 26 May 1858. The contract stated that the line was to be built on the pattern of the [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mid-Kent_Railway Mid Kent Railway]. Fowler’s specification, attached to the contract, specified that cuttings and embankments were to be 30ft wide at formation level. For an additional payment of £20,000, all earthworks were to be built for double track. Tunnels were to be 24ft wide and not less than 16ft high at the centre and brick lined if the Engineer specified this was necessary. [[Bridgnorth Tunnel]] was to be built without shafts and without disturbing any buildings.<ref>[[Bibliography#Books|Marshall (1989)]] pp. 37-38.</ref>
:"''...the works on some of the heaviest portions of the line are now in progress. The Contractors have been put into possession of land for a length of nearly two and a half miles at [[Stourport]], [[Highley]], Chelmarsh, [[Bridgnorth]] and [[Ironbridge and Broseley|Broseley]], and are prosecuting the works with energy; and having sent materials to [[Ironbridge and Broseley|Ironbridge]], Bridgnorth, [[Arley]], [[Bewdley]] and [[Stourport]], they are prepared to enter on any portion of the line as soon as the arrangements for the purchase of the land are in a sufficiently forward state. The [[Falling Sands Viaduct|viaduct]] across the valley of the Stour will be commenced immediately and several other large bridges; and the cutting through the sandstone rock at the entrance to the tunnel under the town of Bridgnorth is begun.''"
