Network Rail has completed its upgrading of Victorian canopies on the four platforms at Wilmslow station on the Manchester-to-Crewe line in Cheshire.
In February 2022, workers began extensive restoration work on the canopies, which have been in place since the station opened in 1842. They have been maintained since then, but by last year, were in need of a thoroughgoing overhaul, as some steelwork was corroded, paintwork was flaking, glazing was dirty and some areas even needed temporary structural props.
In carrying out the upgrade, which cost £1.6m, workers have:
- replaced primary timber beams
- replaced platform glazing
- replaced canopy timber cladding
- prepared and painted the canopy
- repaired the structure of existing timber beams
- partially reroofed the canopy.
More information on how Network Rail looks after heritage structures can be found here.
Mike Cheadle, Network Rail senior asset engineer, said: “We take great care to look after our heritage buildings and this work at Wilmslow shows how we’re committed to keeping the railway fit for the future while respecting its past.
“This major £1.6m investment we hope will make a huge difference for Northern passengers on the Manchester to Crewe line, creating a cleaner and brighter environment and improving their journeys for many years to come.”
Craig Harrop, regional director for Northern, said: “Wilmslow station is looking better than ever following this investment by Network Rail. Customers rightly expect their local heritage to be respected and I know the 1.7 million customers that use the station every year will appreciate the restoration work that has taken place.”
Responses
Is this some kind of sick joke? Northwich station collapsed and is in complete disrepair. The trains and line are complete unfit for purpose.
Alderley Edge station next door to Wilmslow had a canopy removed from a dilapidated building the Crewe platform on safety grounds over a year back annd awaits a replacement . Alderley Edge Station Volunteer Group have encouraged Network Rail to repurpose the building as a cafe with toilets. A response to the proposal is expected shortly.
Northern have upgraded two unused rooms on the Manchester platform and made them available for commercial use. Sadly the canopy fascia boards on the canopy also need replacing.
Northwich is a densely populated town and if the trains and station were better more people would be prepared to travel by train. But with industrial action and the mess that is Northwich station it’s not surprising you can’t get people to use the trains, which I might add are usually very old and dirty. The victorian and iron glass roof should have a preservation order on it and money to restore it.
and taken a blooming age to repair by a big contractor.
It’s such a pity that Northwich station fell down due to neglect and lack of investment, fortunately without fatalities.