Published on: Tuesday, 8 December 2020
Last updated: Tuesday, 8 December 2020
Work to restore Harlow Town rail station’s faded exterior to its former glory has won a national award.
Train operator, Greater Anglia, which manages the Grade II listed station, replaced all the old station canopy fascias which had turned from dark green to white, and had not been replaced since the station was built in the 1950s.
New ‘Hollybush Green’ colour glass reinforced plastic fascias – which will be maintenance free and prevent the colour from fading for many years to come - were used to match the original colour and create a smart new look for the station.
The work, which was made possible thanks to funding from the Railway Heritage Trust, has received the BAM Nuttall Partnership Award at the National Railway Heritage Awards.
Greater Anglia’s Asset Management Director, Simone Bailey, said, "We are delighted to have won an award for our project to restore Harlow Town, but even better, to have improved the appearance of the station for the local community and ensure that rail travel remains an attractive option into the future."
Andy Savage, Executive Director of the Railway Heritage Trust said, "We have long felt that Harlow Station is one of the best examples of 1950s British Rail architecture, and that the strong horizontal lines of the multiple fascias were a key part of this.
"We were disappointed when the fascias were repainted white, and realised that the original plywood, now over 60 years old, was life expired. We were thus delighted to help fund the renewal of the fascias in a fibre reinforced polymer with a £100,000 grant.
"The new material should ensure that the fascias last far longer, retain the original dark green colour without need for regular repainting, and as a result reduce risk to maintenance staff who would otherwise have to work at heights near electric conductors.
"We congratulate Greater Anglia on the project, and on winning a National Railway Heritage Award for it."
The National Railways Heritage Awards is a Trust which encourages and rewards best practice in the restoration and continued upkeep of the UK’s rich heritage of railway and tramway buildings and structures.