The heritage railway has welcomed information that its loss adjusters for one among its main claims, Crawford & Firm, have been shortlisted for a prestigious British Insurance coverage Award in recognition of their work following the Mor Brook landslip in January 2025.
Crawford, along with insurers Aviva and the Severn Valley Railway, are within the operating for the Main Loss Award on the British Insurance coverage Awards 2026, the insurance coverage market’s greatest celebration of innovation and excellence.
The awards ceremony will happen on July 8.
The nomination recognises the collaborative response to the landslip at Mor Brook bridge, in direction of the northern finish of the railway, which was brought on by Storm Éowyn.
The collapse severed the road, stopping trains from working the total route between Kidderminster and Bridgnorth and leading to a big lack of revenue as passenger numbers fell.
Working intently with Crawford, Aviva, contractors and the SVR’s personal workers and volunteers, the railway was capable of speed up repairs and reopen the total size of the road in July 2025.
The return of companies was marked by the long-lasting steam locomotive Flying Scotsman hauling the primary prepare throughout the repaired part.
Paul Lofkin, president, UK & Eire, Crawford & Firm, mentioned: “We’re proud to be recognised as a finalist for the Main Loss Award at this 12 months’s British Insurance coverage Awards. It displays the energy of our Main and Advanced Loss experience and the dedication our groups convey to supporting individuals by a few of their most difficult moments.
“Following the embankment collapse brought on by Storm Éowyn on the Severn Valley Railway, we labored intently with Aviva, engineers and contractors to stabilise the positioning shortly and ship a restore technique that lowered the reinstatement timeline from 9–12 months to underneath six.
“That mixture of technical experience, collaboration and concentrate on outcomes sits on the coronary heart of Crawford’s function of restoring lives, companies and communities.”
60103 Flying Scotsman hauls the primary passenger service throughout the repaired Mor Brook bridge (Picture: Jack Boskett)
Antony Bartlam, the SVR’s undertaking supervisor for the Mor Brook restore, mentioned: “The Mor Brook collapse introduced a particularly troublesome and complicated problem. Having Crawford and Aviva alongside us managing the declare made an incredible distinction.
“From the outset, it was clear that their group understood the distinctive necessities of a heritage railway. We aren’t merely a business operation; we’re custodians of an essential a part of the nation’s heritage. There was a duty not solely to revive the railway as shortly as attainable, but in addition to guard the heritage worth it represents.
“Partnership working was central to attaining that consequence. Crawford and Aviva did way over handle an insurance coverage declare, they labored collaboratively with us to assist safeguard a heritage asset for future generations. With out their assist, the SVR wouldn’t have returned to full operation so shortly, enabling it to proceed taking part in an essential position within the lives of hundreds of volunteers and numerous guests.”
The Main Loss Award recognises excellence in dealing with giant and complicated insurance coverage claims.
Crawford, Aviva and the SVR’s shortlisting highlights the profitable partnership that enabled probably the most vital infrastructure repairs within the SVR’s current historical past to be accomplished in document time, serving to safe the way forward for the railway following probably the most difficult incidents it has confronted.