Kettering station won The Greater Anglia Award for Best Overall Entry and Wellingborough station was highly commended in The London Underground Operational Enhancement Award category at the National Railway Heritage Awards 2022.
HRH The Duke of Gloucester presented the National Railway Heritage Awards at a ceremony on Tuesday 6 December, which saw 51 entries from across the rail industry judged across 12 categories.
The Greater Anglia Award for Best Overall Entry in this year’s competition went to Network Rail for the careful restoration and modification of the platform canopies at Kettering station to ensure their safe integration following the introduction of electrification through the station.
At Wellingborough, substantial work was done on the Grade II listed iron platform canopies to prepare for electrification, as well as renovations to the goods shed to provide a walkway for passengers on Platform 1. These upgrades have led to the station being highly commended in The London Underground Operational Enhancement award category.
Network Rail worked closely with the Railway Heritage Trust on the £2.5m scheme to restore the platform canopies at both Northamptonshire stations, which 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.
The improvements are part of the Midland Main Line upgrade, the biggest since the route was built over 150 years ago. The upgrade has already delivered more seats as well as faster and more reliable journeys for passengers travelling between Kettering and London. As key stations on the route, substantial changes have been made including extended platforms at both stations as well as improved station lighting, new waiting shelters, CCTV and public announcement systems.
Colin Ramshall, Senior Portfolio Manager for Network Rail’s East Midlands Route, said: “This is fantastic news for both of these stations on the Midland Main Line and it is great for our teams to get recognition for what they have achieved.
“The package of improvements at Kettering and Wellingborough included the restoration of the historic Victorian canopies which was delivered sympathetically to retain their original character. The scheme was well-received by passengers and the local community and these accolades from the National Railway Heritage awards really acknowledge this.”
Photo credit: Network Rail
