Sponsored by
Pensioners bring new life to derelict railway station
It was a crumbling, dirty, underused hangover from a golden age of British railways.
The most striking features of Bamber Bridge's tiny railway station were derelict buildings – and a grotty underpass.
Then Network Rail invested in widening the crossing, filled in the subway and strengthened rails in an upgrade of the Preston-Blackburn line.
Now, working with the council, South Ribble Pensioners' Association (SRPA) has overseen the internal and external restoration of the historic 1846 old station building.
The association now meet there to enjoy courses in computing, languages, bingo, art classes, along with hot lunches and a 50-inch TV screen on its way.
More than 20 years after its doors closed as a booking office, the one-time crumbling eyesore – one of few remaining original station structures on this line – has won a series of accolades.
The SRPA centre has been shortlisted for a National Community Rail Award for best new use of railway buildings, and is also being considered for a Railway Heritage award.
Meanwhile office manager Bill Hodges, who has overseen the 18-month refurbishment, has won a South Ribble Achievement Award for his work on the building and has picked up another community award for the association itself.
A modest Mr Hodges said: "It was just crumbling to pieces, but now the building is outstanding."
For more on this story see Wednesday's LEP.
">>> Vote in our latest web poll
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Preston
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light sleet
Temperature: 3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South east
