A major grant awarded by the Rural Development Growth Programme for England has enabled the Midland Railway – Butterley’s museum complex at Swanwick Junction to be transformed by the application of a high quality tarmac surface to 3,300 square metres of roadway.
As well as massively improving the appearance, the surfacing will make movement around the complex much easier for visitors, especially those using mobility aids, families with buggies and push chairs and school children on educational visits.
The Midland Railway – Butterley is extremely grateful to the Rural Development Growth Programme for England (RDPE) for their support. The grant is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD), which is part of the European Structural and Investment Funds. The RDPE grants are designed to help to fund the costs of capital expenditure on tourism infrastructure. Their aim is to support projects that will encourage tourists to visit, to stay longer and to spend more money in rural areas.
Completion of the roadway surfacing is the first stage in a project covering a four year period. The improved roadways will make the museum complex a more attractive place to visit. This should increase visitor numbers and encourage them to stay longer, to explore the museum complex further, to increase their spending and to make return visits. The expectation is that, over the project period, income will steadily increase, and the Midland Railway – Butterley will be in a position to afford to gradually employ additional staff, increasing job opportunities in the area.
A Midland Railway – Butterley spokesperson said; “We are all absolutely thrilled with this massive improvement and are very grateful to RDPE for their support.”