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Friday 28 Aug 2009

EYE OPENER FOR RAIL TRAVELLERS

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Although Horatio Nelson died nearly 45 years before the station that bears his name was opened, he certainly wouldn’t turn a blind eye if he could see it now.

Network Rail has returned the canopy over the station platform to its former Victorian glory in a five month project valued at nearly £200,000.

Jo Kaye, route director for Network Rail, explained: “The canopy is an imposing structure that still spans both platforms even though the station now has only a single line. It was in a poor condition from years of neglect and reflected badly on the newly built transport interchange nearby.

“It now looks absolutely pristine, with the detail in the ironwork picked out in dark blue against the stark white background of the roof structure.”

Matt Beeton, area director for Northern Rail said: “The restoration of the canopy really has brought this structure back to life giving a fitting link from the station’s heritage to the recently completed transport interchange. Passengers have already been telling us how much they appreciate the work.”

The work involved repairing or replacing the structural roof supports, together with the timber roof cladding, and replacing around 420 cracked or vandalised glazing panels and 120 of the bars that hold them in position.

Those parts of the roof that were in good condition were stripped down and cleaned before the entire structure was painted dark blue and white.

To complete the picture, the ornate metal fencing around the access ramp up to the platforms was also painted blue.