Northamptonshire stations winners at National Railway Heritage Awards

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Northamptonshire stations winners at National Railway Heritage Awards

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Kettering canopies - after
Kettering station. // Credit: Network Rail
At the National Awards held earlier this month, and Wellingborough stations in won awards.

The ceremony was held on Tuesday, 6th December, and HRH The Duke of Gloucester presented awards to winners in 12 categories out of 51 entries from across the rail industry.

The Greater Anglia Award for Best Overall Entry was won by Kettering station, whilst in the London Underground Operational Enhancement Award category, Wellingborough station was highly commended.

won the Greater Anglia Award for Best Overall Entry in this year’s competition for its careful restoration and modification of the platform canopies at Kettering station by ensuring their safe integration following the electrification of the lines through the station.

Kettering canopies - before
Canopies at Kettering station before restoration. // Credit: Network Rail
Wellingborough was highly commended in The London Underground Operational Enhancement award category for the substantial work that had been carried out on the Grade II listed iron platform canopies to prepare for electrification, and for renovations to the goods shed to provide a walkway for passengers on Platform 1.

At both Kettering and Wellingborough stations, Network Rail worked closely with the Railway Heritage Trust on a £2.5m scheme to restore their platform canopies. This included restoring historical detail that had been lost from their original features, such as the finials, filigree gable ends, and repairs to the columns and roofs.

The improvements are part of the biggest upgrade of the Midland Main Line since it was built over 150 years ago. That has also provided more seats and faster and more reliable journeys on services between Kettering and London. Substantial changes have been made at both Kettering and Wellingborough stations, including extended platforms, improved station lighting, new waiting shelters, CCTV, and public announcement systems.

Colin Ramshall, Senior Portfolio Manager for Network Rail’s East Midlands Route, said: “This is fantastic news for both of these stations on the Midland Main Line and it is great for our teams to get recognition for what they have achieved.

“The package of improvements at Kettering and Wellingborough included the restoration of the historic Victorian canopies which was delivered sympathetically to retain their original character. The scheme was well-received by passengers and the local community and these accolades from the really acknowledge this.”

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