CARDIFF LANDMARK TO BE FRESHENED UP

Friday 1 Jun 2012

CARDIFF LANDMARK TO BE FRESHENED UP

Region & Route:: | Wales & Western: Wales & Borders; | Wales & Western

A unique 1930s water tower, which is also a Cardiff landmark, is to be transformed by Network Rail.

The concrete water tower outside Cardiff Central (Caerdydd Canolog) was built by Great Western Railway in 1932 as part of its redevelopment of the station. Now Network Rail is to repaint the structure in the original colours of the GWR.

The tower, with its concrete fluted base and a cylindrical water tank, has no comparable GWR structures.

As a result, it is grade two listed, both on its own merit but also as part of the larger station complex. Cardiff Central itself is regarded as the most complete 1930s GWR station still in existence.

By painting the tower in GWR colours, it will link it to the already restored buildings and provide a fine impression for visitors arriving in the Welsh capital by rail.

Notes to editors

Network Rail developed the scheme along with the Rail Heritage Group, train operators and Cardiff Council
When built it featured a large advertisement for White Horse whisky
The work will be complted before the start of the Olympics

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