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Wednesday 25 Oct 2023

Plaque unveiled at Kettering station to mark heritage award win

Region & Route:

Eastern

A plaque has been unveiled at Kettering railway station to mark Network Rail’s win of ‘Best Overall Entry’ at the 2022 National Railway Heritage Awards.

At the awards ceremony in December 2022, Network Rail was awarded the ‘Best Overall Entry’ award for its careful restoration and modification of the platform canopies at Kettering station to ensure their safe integration following the introduction of overhead electrification through the station.

At the station yesterday (Tuesday 24 October), a plaque celebrating the achievement was unveiled at the station’s entrance by the Mayor of Kettering, Cllr Emily Fedorowycz, Colin Ramshall from Network Rail, and Andy Savage, Chair of the Railway Heritage Trust. They were joined by representatives from East Midlands Railway (EMR), the station’s operator, Kettering Civic Society, and the National Railway Heritage Awards.

As part of a £2.5m project, working closely with the Railway Heritage Trust, Network Rail worked to restore the platform canopies at Kettering station as well as at nearby Wellingborough station. The work included the restoration of lost historical detail of the original features such as the finials and filigree gable ends and repairs to columns and roofs.

Colin Ramshall, Senior Portfolio Manager for Network Rail’s East Midlands route, said: “Our project team faced stiff competition to win this award in December and we were thrilled to come out on top, reflecting the hard work and dedication shown in this restoration project.

“It has been great to unveil this plaque which will serve as a permanent reminder of the award-winning work carried out by Network Rail at the station and may even encourage passengers to look at the beautiful station around them while waiting to board their train.”

Dave Meredith, Customer Services Director for EMR said: “This plaque is testament to the hard work carried out by Network Rail to restore the historic platform canopies at Kettering station.

“A well-deserved award win to modernise the infrastructure, whilst keeping its impressive original features that our customers can appreciate as they travel around Kettering station.