Media centre

Monday 20 Jun 2005

RAIL COMPANIES CHOO CHOO-SE TO HELP WHITSTABLE TOTS

Region & Route:

| Southern

Network Rail has teamed up with South Eastern Trains, the Railway Heritage Trust and Choochoos Nursery to give more than £300,000 in funding to transform a derelict building at Whitstable Station into a brand new nursery for local infants. The historic Victorian building was once the old ticket office and waiting rooms at Whitstable Station but has been empty for some 15 years. Work is now well underway to turn the disused building into a children's day nursery which will cater for up to 72 children a day. Dave Ward, Network Rail’s Route Director, said: “We are delighted to be on board with this project. Not only will this scheme create a valuable new facility for local parents and the whole community, it will also restore a historic railway building back to its former glory.” Karla Tabony from Choochoos Day Nursery said: “We have been working on this project for two years now and it’s fantastic to see our plans for this great building finally near completion. We have been overwhelmed by all of the support from the railway industry and local businesses. Everyone has been very positive and the new nursery will definitely give the area a much welcomed boost.” Michael Holden, Managing Director of South Eastern Trains, said: “This shows what can be achieved at our stations through partnership working with Network Rail, the Railway Heritage Trust and local businesses. We look forward to more schemes aimed at putting historic railway buildings back into productive use.” When the project started, the derelict building was in need of extensive repairs and work so far has included: installing a brand new roof at a cost of £86,000; completely rewiring the building’s electricity; and repairing the original Victorian sash windows. Many of the building’s other original Victorian features will also be restored during the work, and the garden adjoining the building will be put back into use as a play and exercise area. Work on the building is due to be completed by the end of August when a special ‘open day’ will be held to allow local residents to have a look around the new nursery. The nursery will then officially open at the start of September in time for the new school term. Once open, the nursery will cater for children aged two to five years and will run from 7am to 7pm. It will also be available for local community clubs and societies to use during the evenings and weekends.