Changes

===2007===

In the [[2007 Storm Damage|Summer 2007 storm damage]], the first severe thunderstorm did not affect Sterns. However further slips began in the following weeks as the wet weather continued, both at the area normally affected and further to the north by Sterns Cottage, the house alongside the line on the side nearer the river.

Part of the solution involved building a 150 foot long piled concrete retaining wall alongside Sterns Cottage. This required 75 24-foot long vertical piles reinforced by 37 42-foot long angled soil-nails and covered by a concrete cap<ref name=Sowden/>.

<br clear="all"/>

===2014===

In mid-February 2014 evidence emerged that further subsidence was taking place when a significant dip in the line appeared at the north end of the Sterns area close to Sterns Cottage. A 'stop and proceed with caution' restriction was put in place until repairs could be completed over the following months. A large concrete sleeper wall was built at the toe of the slip and packed behind with approximately 150 tonnes of ballast. This was topped off with around 200 tonnes of graded stone in order to help to stabilise the slip and drain the water from the embankment. Full-time staff, with the help of [[Other rolling stock visiting the SVR|hired in plant]] completed the repairs to the line<ref>SVR Live April 2014</ref>.

<br clear="all"/>

Following [[Severn Valley Railway Timeline 2020-2029#2020|extensive flooding in February 2020]] land movements were again observed. A comprehensive drainage network was proposed to collect rainwater and transport it to the river in an efficient manner before it could get down to the slip planes and exacerbate the problem.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/bljun20 Branch Lines, June 2020] (Retrieved 26 June 2020)</ref> Contractors Walsh Construction completed this water management work by 29 July as planned, with the final item being the lining of the existing drainage ditch with concrete canvas. The work was funded by £120,000 from the [[Severn Valley Railway Charitable Trust Ltd|SVR Charitable Trust]].<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/blaug20 Branch Lines, August 2020] (Retrieved 3 August 2020)</ref>

In spring of 2022 Walsh and SVR staff undertook a further project. A deep area of ballast had developed from successive tamping over the years. 300 cubic metres of embankment comprising around 150 tonnes of ballast and 650 tonnes of fill material were replaced with around 400 tonnes of Leca (lightweight expanded clay aggregate) and 40-60 tonnes of ballast, at a total cost of £81,209.<ref>SVRH Report and accounts up to 2 January 2023</ref> This reduced the weight on the embankment, thereby lessening the progressive movement.<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/blfeb22 Branch Lines, February 2022] (Retrieved 7 March 2021)</ref>

Electronic ‘tilt monitoring’ equipment was fitted in February 2021<ref>[https://www.svrlive.com/blmar21 Branch Lines, March 2021] (Retrieved 7 March 2021)</ref>. Following the insolvency of the provider this was taken out of use in 2023.

<br clear="all"/>