Sittingbourne Steam Railway awarded £26,500

The Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway has been granted £26,500 from HM Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage, the biggest fund in UK history and the largest single grant we have ever received.

The Culture Recovery Fund is a historic investment in all kinds of culture, in all communities, to help the sector recover from coronavirus.

The Sittingbourne & Kemsley Light Railway has been fundraising to improve Sittingbourne Viaduct station since the closure of the Sittingbourne Paper Mill.

Almost £10,000 has already been invested in new palisade fencing between the station site and the new Skatepark and former mill. Additional security measures will be installed to prevent further vandalism and improve the visitor experience.

COVID-19 has changed the operation of the Sittingbourne Viaduct station and the 23-step steel stairways has become a major pinch point, making social distancing difficult.

The group aims to work with neighbours to deliver a second entrance to the station which will provide long-term benefits including disabled access. The station will also be upgraded to include proper hand wash and wheelchair accessible toilet facilities.

Find out more on their website