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Sunday, 1st August 2010

Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway defy recession

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Published Date: 07 August 2009
A BO'NESS tourist attraction is defying the recession with record visitor numbers this year – and with exciting plans afoot to offer customers even more.

Bo'ness and Kinneil Railway welcomed nearly 32,000 visitors between January and July, beating the 29,000 who came over the same period in 2008.

The popular family venue is gearing up for a busy August, after last year it proved their best month ever, bringing in a staggering 13,500 people.

And the signs are the railway is well on course to smash 2008's record of nearly 67,000 visitors over 12 months. Press spokes-man John Mayes said: "We'd love to get it over 70,000 this year and I think we're on track.

"Our advance bookings look very good. It's been an amazing year."
Around half of 2008's visitors came from out-with the local area (including Edinburgh and Glasgow), putting Bo'ness on the map with UK-wide and overseas guests.

Even a 20 per cent ticket price rise January, the first in four years, hasn't had an adverse effect.

And while many tourist spots and businesses are hoping 'stay-cationers' – those holidaying at home – will help them beat the credit crunch, the railway has long been on an upward trend.

John paid tribute to the hard work of the 300 volunteers, who equate to 43 full-time staff.

He added: "I think people are very choosy about what they want to spend on and I'm certain we offer good value."

The railway team aren't resting on their laurels, with a near two-mile stretch of line south of Birkhill station, over a viaduct to the Manuel Junction, to be inspected by officials this month.

It is hoped to open up the scenic track, used for internal traffic, to public trips later this year.

Val Trotter, chairwoman of Bo'ness Means Business, said: "It's important groups like us and the railway work to make the most of these visitors."

Councillor Adrian Mahoney, leisure, tourism and community convener, said: "The railway works very hard and has lots of great volunteers to make it a good visitor experience, congratulations go to them."

Other tourist sites experiencing growing visitor numbers include the Birkhill Clay Mine, up 16 per cent on the first six months of this year.

editorial@journalandgazette.co.uk

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  • Last Updated: 07 August 2009 12:04 PM
  • Source: n/a
  • Location: Linlithgow
 
 
 


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