SEVERN Valley Railway (SVR) has said that money raised in donations as part of its 'Resilience Fund' will not be used to cover a hefty fine.

The heritage railway, which runs from Kidderminster to Bridgnorth, has been ordered to pay a total of £88,000 over an accident in which an employee was seriously injured in a fall whilst painting a train.

The railway pleaded guilty to offences under the Work at Height Regulations 2005 following the accident involving a locomotive and carriage painter three-and-a-half years ago.

In May this year, the attraction announced a new fundraising appeal, the SVR Resilience Fund, to help support running costs and secure its future.

The railway has confirmed that donations received by members of the public as part of its 'Resilience Fund' will not contribute to the payment of the fine.

A spokesperson for the heritage railway said: "The money donated to the Resilience Fund is used for the operation of the railway".

The incident happened at SVR's Bridgnorth Locomotive Works where a repaint of a Mark 1 carriage was being carried out on February 22, 2021.

The carriage painter had been working alone and was not wearing a safety harness when they fell approximately 13 feet, hitting a metal storage cabinet before landing on a concrete floor.

The worker was left with six broken bones in the lower back and also suffered neck injuries.

SVR was also ordered to pay a £40,000 fine and £48,000 in costs when the case brought by industry regulator the Office of Rail and Road concluded at Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court.

The Severn Valley Railway has said it accepts the findings and acknowledges its shortcomings.

SVR managing director Jonathan ‘Gus’ Dunster issued a public apology to the employee involved and said a raft of safety measures have been put in place since.