Doubts over Clifton Rocks Railway restoration
The Clifton Rocks Railway may never be fully restored to its former glory, according to enthusiasts.
They say the cliff railway's wartime history might be lost if a full restoration was to be undertaken.
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The unique Victorian-built railway was used as an air raid shelter and theatre for the BBC during the Second World War. It was also used by Imperial Airways, partly for work on barrage balloons.
It was opened in 1893 as a link for passengers from Clifton who used the popular pleasure steams which moored at a landing stage on the River Avon.
It was the only cliff railway in the world with four sets of tracks.
But the feat of engineering was closed in 1934 and except for its wartime purpose, has remained a hidden and derelict treasure for decades.
Maggie Shapland, leader of the restoration project, said: "Because we have conducted surveys, spoken to many experts, and spend so much time in the tunnel, we knew that the wartime history was as important as the railway's history.
"We realised that the most feasible solution was to restore the top and bottom station and leave the wartime structure in tact."
She said it could be used as a museum and theatre _ with a rail car running down only part of the tunnel.
The trust said it realised a fully restored system would never generate sufficient revenue to keep it running.
A backlog of more than 1,000 people are still waiting to be taken on a tour of the site to see the railway's secrets.
Ms Shapland said: "The more people have been down the tunnel, the more they appreciate the multiple histories and its special history."
The Clifton Rocks Railway Trust said the latest scheme under consideration is to restore the top and bottom stations and retain the wartime area used as a shelter during the 1939-45 war.
In 2005 volunteers began work on restoring the railway and members of the public were given their first peep inside the tunnel in May 2005 when the an open day was organised.
During the past four years, the trust, which hopes to gain charitable status, has welcomed 14,000 visitors on open days and 2,200 visitors have been given guided tours.
The Avon Gorge Hotel owns the top station and most of the tunnel while Bristol City Council is responsible for the lower station which opens out on to the Portway.
Mark Passmore, general manager of the hotel, said: "This dedicated group of volunteers has a done a fantastic job in restoring this important piece of Bristol's history.
"We are delighted that the Clifton Rocks Railway is again open for business."
People will again have the opportunity to peer inside the tunnel in May when the trust holds another open day with the city's Bus Preservation Group.
3 Comments
by John, Bristol
Sunday, February 01 2009, 3:21AM
“History, preservation or restoration, a conumdrum.
The comment that the lower station is hardly best located for modern traffic is very valid but it has to be remembered that the railway itself is an important, if little known, Bristol attraction. You only have to see the amount of patronage that the Lynton & Lynmouth, built by the same person, enjoys to realise this.
I feel that the best way to decide whether to restore it to the pre WW2 state or to retain part of it as of that time is to look at other attractions. Let's assume, for the sake of argument, that the military took over Blackpool Tower in WW2 and put a searchlight battery on top. After hostilities cease the Tower is left to decay but enthusiasts decide to revive it. Would you restore it to its' former glory or would you leave its' wartime additions in situ.
Preservation or restoration, restore to previous glory or preserve as it is now complete with WW2 artefacts and facilities. I know which I would prefer and it is the latter. At least then the railway will still be accessible to future generations and, as a bonus, part of Bristol history will be remembered.
If nothing is done - well, look around at the mouldering stock on preserved railways and aircraft museums where exhibits and stock are left to rust away because a coat of paint is seen as not in keeping with preservation ideas.”
by Mike, Bristol
Saturday, January 31 2009, 3:06PM
“The clifton rocks railway is history and I'm very proud of our Bristol history. Maybe stop spendinfg money on all the DHSS scrougers and put people's taxes back into something for them for a change.”
by John B, Bristol
Saturday, January 31 2009, 10:41AM
“I can see both sides of the story,the biggest factor is that today it's not suitable with the bottom acsess right on the busy Portway ??.The place was built when it was just Horse drawn transport visiting it.”