A HERITAGE railway is set to benefit from a government funding boost of more than £200,000.

Swanage Railway will receive a £223,200 share of the £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help heritage organisations through the coronavirus pandemic.

The funding is being welcomed by the railway, which launched a 'Save Our Service' appeal earlier in the year in the wake of the economic effects of coronavirus.

The funding will allow the award-winning rail line to improve on its existing systems and support Covid-19 safety requirements in the following ways:

• Upgrade its passenger reservations system which has experienced challenges in coping with the additional passenger information needed for Covid-19 track and trace

• Keep its stations and carriage stock sanitised to Covid-19 requirements

• Improve its information screens at Swanage and Corfe Castle stations

• Install information screens at Harman’s Cross and Norden stations

• Continue the provision of personal protection equipment (PPE) for staff and volunteers

• Provide further seating dividers in carriages where required

• Enable Equalities Act training for staff and volunteers

Randy Coldham, fundraising chairman at Swanage Railway, said: “This grant is integral to the future success of the Swanage Railway by providing financial assistance to improve our systems, and support our training and Covid-19 responsibilities. It does not negate the importance of our SOS Appeal which supports the day to day running of our railway through this coming winter."

The Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage and the Heritage Stimulus Fund are funded by the UK government and administered by Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

Both funds are part of the Government’s £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund which is designed to secure the future of Britain’s museums, galleries, theatres, independent cinemas, heritage sites and music venues with emergency grants and loans.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: “It is heartening to see grants, both large and small, from the Government’s Culture Recovery Fund helping heritage sites and organisations across the country which have been hit hard by the effects of Covid-19.

“The funding is an essential lifeline for our heritage and the people who work tirelessly to conserve it for us all, so that we can hand it on to future generations.”