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Monday 13 Jan 2025

Major timber and glazing overhaul unveiled at Stoke-on-Trent station

Region & Route:

North West & Central: West Coast Mainline South

Passengers are benefitting from an upgrade to the large expanses of glazing at both ends of Stoke-on-Trent station.

As part of a multi-million pound investment, Network Rail has completed work to replace Stoke-on-Trent station’s timber framed glazed walls - known as ‘gable ends’ - to keep them safe and reliable for decades to come.

The walls, which span 25 metres over the West Coast Main Line on the north and south side of the Victorian-built train shed, had been exposed to the elements and deteriorated over time.

The essential upgrade included the replacement of timber frames to match the station’s original design due to its listed building status. Network Rail, working with its partners at Murphy, have replaced all 220 panes of glass that the frames contain, with finishing touches to the project completing before Christmas 2024.

Alistair Bush, senior asset engineer for Network Rail said: “Our work at Stoke-on-Trent was focused on enhancing the railway for passengers while respecting the rich heritage of the station. By carefully replacing the timber frames and glazing to match the original Victorian design, this project will help to keep the station safe, reliable, and visually stunning for decades to come.”

The work has been a long time in the planning, with discussions and consultations taking place with heritage experts at Stoke Council, as well as the Rail Heritage Trust who contributed £75,000 towards the cost of the improvements.

Councillor Chris Robinson, cabinet member for Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: “Our officers worked closely with Network Rail to ensure this scheme was executed in accordance with listed building consent and that it was in-keeping with the Victorian look of the railway station. The station is an important gateway into the city and one of the first things visitors are greeted by when they arrive in Stoke-on-Trent.

“A wider programme of work is taking place to improve the look, feel and accessibility of the station and this work will play a key part in ensuring it is a safe and attractive place for residents, commuters, visitors and students.”

Tim Hedley-Jones, executive director of the Railway Heritage Trust said: “We are pleased to have supported this project with a grant to Network Rail for the restoration of the gable ends. As a Grade II* listed building dating from 1847, Stoke-on-Trent is an important part of the city’s railway heritage. The attention to detail taken by Network Rail and their contractors in restoring them is to be commended.”

Laura Warwick, Avanti West Coast station manager for Stoke-on-Trent, said: “We’re delighted with the results of the work to bring a key feature of the station back to its former glory. Stoke-on-Trent has a rich railway history, and this careful restoration has transformed the station while preserving an original part of the building to ensure it can be enjoyed for many more years. We would like to thank our customers for their patience while Network Rail restored this beautiful feature in keeping with the station’s heritage.”

The work at Stoke-on-Trent station has been completed in time for the Railway’s 200th Anniversary year.

Railway 200, marks the bi-centenary of the invention of the first passenger railway between Darlington and Stockton in September 1825.

For more on how Network Rail carries out work on its heritage estate, you can visit: www.networkrail.co.uk/who-we-are/our-history/working-with-railway-heritage/