A devastating landslip at the end of January brought the historic Severn Valley Railway (SVR) to a standstill, threatening the future of the much-loved heritage line and severely disrupting services between Bridgnorth and Hampton Loade stations.

Thanks to a swift and innovative response from contractors CML, who installed Elite Precast’s Legato® interlocking concrete blocks, the railway is now firmly on track for a full reopening—just in time for the highly anticipated visit of the Flying Scotsman.

Legato® Blocks Provide a Robust Solution for the Severn Valley Railway

A Heritage Line Confronts a Modern Crisis
The SVR, which has connected Kidderminster in Worcestershire to Bridgnorth in Shropshire for over 160 years, faced one of its most serious challenges when a fallen tree damaged a bridge wing wall. This allowed water to seep in, causing a major embankment collapse.

The incident brought all train services to a halt and posed a significant threat to the local economy, particularly in Bridgnorth, where railway tourism is vital.

SVR structural engineer and project manager Antony Bartlam called it “a complete freak accident,” adding, “That embankment and the wing wall have been there for 160-odd years, and nothing has ever happened to it.”

The repair, led by specialist contractors CML, required a solution that was not only strong and cost-effective but also suitable for the specific demands of a heritage railway and compliant with strict environmental regulations.

Elite Precast Concrete’s Legato® blocks proved the ideal answer. Modular and heavy-duty, they are designed for projects such as large-scale retaining walls and embankment stabilisation.

Over 100 Legato® blocks were delivered to site and installed on freshly poured footings. Their interlocking design provided immediate strength and stability, forming the core of the rebuilt embankment.

“Legato® blocks were the perfect choice for this project,” said Stuart Hale, Contracts Manager at CML. “Their size, weight and interlocking nature allowed us to construct a robust, permanent wall quickly and efficiently—crucial to restoring the railway without compromising on safety or build quality.”

Sustainable, Safe and Built to Last
The project came with added complexity due to the need for environmental protections. Surveys were conducted to safeguard local wildlife, including otters and crayfish, and the Mor Brook had to be temporarily culverted to provide safe access for machinery. The modular format of the Legato blocks allowed for highly accurate installation, even in environmentally sensitive conditions, keeping disruption to a minimum and ensuring full compliance with ecological requirements.

Looking Ahead
To mark the line’s reopening, the first train to cross the restored section will be the iconic Flying Scotsman—an appropriately historic moment for a railway that has rebounded from adversity thanks to innovation, swift action and community commitment.

Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster, SVR’s Managing Director, said, “It’s so satisfying to see real progress, and we’re looking forward to welcoming visitors back to a fully reunited Severn Valley Railway.”