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Thursday 4 Dec 2025

Double triumph for Keighley at National Railway Heritage Awards

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Keighley station was a double winner at the National Railway Heritage Awards 2025 following its extensive restoration.

Network Rail’s transformation was completed in the spring – modernising the facilities while preserving the grade II-listed station’s heritage.

The £9.9 million project included complete refurbishment of most of the station, renewal of timber in the ramps and roofs, structural strengthening work, and masonry and drainage repairs.

The station, which serves main line operator Northern and heritage railway Keighley & Worth Valley Railway (KWVR), was kept open throughout the restoration.

The project was named winner in the Urban Heritage category at the National Railway Heritage Awards in London yesterday (3 December). KWVR made it a double celebration by picking up the Volunteers award for its conversion of the water tank base into a visitor centre.

Jonny Ham, Network Rail lead portfolio manager, said:

“We’re very proud of the Keighley station project – and delighted to see it recognised by the National Railway Heritage Awards. We took painstaking care over the restoration and used innovative engineering solutions to keep the station open to the public throughout.

“We’ve maintained the station’s 19^th century heritage while making sure it’s equipped to serve passengers for decades to come, and to be recognised by the judges in this way is excellent for everyone involved.”

Chris Pennock, framework director, AmcoGiffen, said:

“We’re really proud that the restoration of Keighley Station has been recognised with this award. Working closely with Network Rail, Keighley Worth Valley Railway, Northern and the local planning authority, our team put a lot of care and attention into repairing and preserving this much-loved station.

“It’s great to see that effort celebrated, and we’re delighted to have helped protect the station’s heritage for the local community and everyone who uses it.”

Matthew Stroh, chairman of the Keighley & Worth Valley Preservation Society, said:

“It’s a great honour for the railway to be recognised nationally for our volunteers' hard work. We've been a key partner in the refurbishment of Keighley station, so are joint winners with AmcoGiffen and Network Rail for the work that's seen so much of the fabric of the station renewed.

“In addition, and with generous support from the Keighley Town Deal and Friends of the railway, have opened the Water Tank House to passengers with a fabulous visitor centre. To get such an accolade against such stiff competition is testimony to the dedication, commitment and vision of our 800-strong team of volunteers. They’ve done the railway proud.”

The judge’s report said:

“Keighley is a credit to all concerned. As well as being a safer, more welcoming passenger environment for all railway users, the station is now a more fitting gateway to both the urban environment of Keighley and the more rural charms of the Worth Valley. I have had the pleasure of judging many large stations during my 30-plus years with the awards; Keighley stands very prominently among the best of these.”

The awards have been presented annually since 1979 to recognise high standards of restoration of railway buildings, structures and signalling installations.