Trustworthy, administrator
6,651
edits
Changes
Round 2 CRF application failed
*On 17 July further relaxations were announced to allow use of public transport and, effective 1 August, updated advice on going to work, and opening most remaining leisure settings, with appropriate social distancing<ref>[https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-53441912 'Coronavirus: Boris Johnson sets out plan for 'significant normality' by Christmas', BBC News, 17 July 2020] (Retrieved 17 July 2020)</ref>.
*On 31 July the following day's relaxed restrictions were withdrawn following an increase in cases, leading to fears of a 'second wave'. The SVR's reopening was not affected. The three-month period to the end of July showed a further contraction in the UK economy of 7.6%.
*From August were frequent and short notice changes in guidance with both further relaxations, local lockdowns being introduced and restrictions on overseas travel. Despite some recovery from May onwards, the UK economy in August remained 12% below the pre-pandemic levels<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/sep/11/uk-economic-recovery-from-covid-19-crisis-continues Partington, Richard, 'UK's economic recovery from Covid-19 crisis continues', The Guardian, 11 September 2020] (Retrieved 11 September 2020)</ref>.
*Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull saw local restrictions from 18 September as infections and hospital admissions rose across the UK and elsewhere. From October a three tiered system of restrictions were applied with the SVR in tier 1 (medium) and parts of the West Midlands in tier 2 (high).
*On 31 October the government announced a further lockdown in England from 5 November to 2 December. The furlough was re-extendedto 31 March 2021.*On 26 November the government announced that the restrictions reverted to an enhanced, three-tier system from 2 December, with a fourth tier added later in the month. Both Worcestershire and Shropshire in Tier 2. *On 8 December the first person was inoculated.*Despite some recovery from May onwards, the UK economy in October remained 8% below the pre-pandemic levels<ref>[https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/dec/10/uk-economy-almost-at-a-standstill-before-new-covid-restrictions-hit-ons-says Elliott, L., 'UK economy almost at a standstill before new Covid restrictions hit, ONS says', The Guardian, 10 December 2020] (Retrieved 10 December 2020)</ref>.*Both Shropshire and Worcestershire moved to 'tier 3' on 31 December as infection rates rose. A third English national lockdown followed from 5 January 2021.*In February 2021 the government published proposals for the conditional lifting of restrictions in stages between March and June.
===Timeline of events on the SVR===
*On 9 October the SVR was awarded £906,000 from the Culture Recovery Fund<ref>[https://www.gov.uk/government/news/445-heritage-organisations-saved-by-103-million-investment-from-government Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport] (Retrieved 9 October 2020)</ref>.
*2 November: it postponed train services for a month, including the start of [[Christmas services]].
*26 November: The Railway confirmed that Christmas services would operate as planned from 3 December, the published statement being "''The Railway is in an area that has been designated as Tier 2 in the new post-national lockdown restrictions. This means that we’re able to open December 3rd and Christmas events will go ahead as planned. If you have bought event tickets, or are interested in buying event tickets, but you live in a Tier 3 area we strongly recommend that you read the Government guidelines before you travel out of your Tier 3 area''"<ref>[https://www.svr.co.uk/NewsItem.aspx?a=948 SVR Website] (retrieved 30 November 2020</ref>.
*31 December: As a result of both Shropshire and Worcestershire moving to 'tier 3', all public services were suspended until further notice, although only 4 days running remained.
*January 2021: February half-term services were cancelled, with the next intended services being Easter from 2 April 2021. Staff were again furloughed and non-essential voluntary work deferred. The first special event of the year was announced, the Spring Steam Up replacing the Spring Steam Gala in April, with continuing restrictions on travel such as pre-booked compartments and tables only. The Fight Back Fund total had reached £930,000. The Trust submitted a further application to round 2 of the Culture Recovery Fund.
*February 2021: The railway announced it planned to restart its public services with regular excursion services from 12 April and other facilities opening when permitted, with previous COVID-19 safe measures continuing.
*In March 2021 the SVR's bid for a second Culture Recovery Grant failed.
==Effects on the SVR==
The Railway stood to lose up to £6 million income in 2020.<ref>[https://www.shropshirestar.com/entertainment/attractions/2020/06/11/severn-valley-railway-to-reopen-in-august/ Shropshire Star 11 June 2020] (Retrieved 21 June 2020)</ref> In mitigation, it successfully applied to HSBC for a £1.5 million loan under the CBILS scheme, which alongside its existing overdraft facility would mean £2.5 million available. The SVR Charitable Trust won a [[:Category:Lottery funding|National Lottery Heritage Fund]] grant to support the reopening of the Railway.<ref name="blaug20">[https://www.svrlive.com/blaug20 Branch Lines, August 2020]</ref> Wyre Forest District Council awarded the Railway £50,000 under its discretionary business grant scheme but, even after donations and grants, by September SVR(H) had still lost £2.8m in revenue.<ref name="bloct20">[https://www.svrlive.com/blaug20 Branch Lines, October 2020]</ref> It later received £906,000 from the Culture Recovery Fund.
With the intervention rate for furlough payments dropping from 1 August 2020 the SVR made up to 40 roles redundant among salaried and zero hours staff who were unable to return to their previous roles, and for whom the Railway was unable to find alternative employment<ref name="blaug20"/>. In 2021 February half-term, Easter and services to early April were lost, with restricted passenger numbers thereafter, and later reopenings for museums and pubs.
==See also==
