Steam trains now not to return at Severn Beach - updated topic, Nov 2025

[whole diary]

[grahame]

https://www.facebook.com/severnbeachminiaturerailway/posts/sad-news-it-is-with-a-sad-and-broken-heart-that-i-must-announce-that-the-severn-/122188973462583818/

I am sharing the public follow up to that - on the basis that wide coverage is sought to fill people in, and also to see if anyone wants to buy track, locomotive, carriages ...

Its with sadness and deep regret that the Severn Beach Miniature Railway project  which I been working on for so long is now officially over. Our local parish council have tried to get this through and all were in support.  South Gloucestershire Council  have put everything theve got into stopping the planning going ahead even though at the beginning with had written permission to do so. A lease was drawn up and later retracted by council.  This was a huge community project that I set up and we woukd have been open by Easter this year. The frustrations and stress this project has given me and my family had become too much to bear.

Yesterday I wrote an official letter to our parish council informing them I have cancelled the project.  Im writing this as I would like you all to know the reasons why this project has failed. This of course  means now I will have to see everything as I dont have anywhere else to go.

Included in the items for sale are 65 x 6 metre panoramic track using  S10 rail  mounted on 11 pressure creosoted timber sleepers 5x4x24" sufficient fishplates and track screws. Track tools, 5 pairs of brand new switch blades in S10.  We have a rake of 3 x 10 1/4" gauge toast coaches. A practically new Exmoor 2-4-2   tank locomotive with a new 10 years hydraulic and in ticket  till next year. This locomotive is ready to use now. A 40 shipping container  proffesionally insulated al lined with electrics, 400 plus metres of new 4 inch round posts, stock fencing, post and rails. New galvanised gates in various sizes. 20  new ish Heras fencing panels with clips and stays. Spare sleepers and other items.To see any of these items go to website www.sbmr.co.uk or Facebook.

 

[johnneyw]

That statement sounded more than disappointing, it was heartbreaking.  I'm trying to restrain myself but what sort of indifferent bureaucracy can do this?

[grahame]

That statement sounded more than disappointing, it was heartbreaking.  I'm trying to restrain myself but what sort of indifferent bureaucracy can do this?

We haven't heard from South Gloucestershire Council.  We can, however, find other known examples of indifferent, cynical, bullying or downright intentionally misleading actions or inactions from bigger bodies.