Published on: Monday, 8 October 2018
Last updated: Monday, 8 October 2018
New heritage style lighting has been installed at Lowestoft rail station revealing a classic design with the most modern energy-saving technology.
The East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership worked with train operator Greater Anglia to install the new lighting as part of an ongoing project to restore buildings and create a new public exhibition space at the UK’s most easterly rail station, parts of which date back over 150 years.
The project which has already included a heritage painting scheme, recently saw three sets of doors leading from the concourse removed in order that they can be replaced, enabling entrances closed for over 30 years to be opened again, helping to reconnect the station site with the town centre.
A great deal of research went into the design of the new lanterns, which although intended to mimic Victorian gas lighting, will include the latest low energy LED fittings.
Old photographs were studied along with film featuring a Royal visit by the Duke and Duchess of York, later to become King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, arriving at the station in 1936 - which by chance clearly showed an original lamp in the background.
The new vintage style lamps replace a series of life expired fittings both inside the station concourse and on the perimeter.
The units were designed and manufactured in the UK by DW Windsor Ltd. Based in Hertfordshire the company has over 40 years’ experience in public realm lighting, having worked on a vast number of landmark projects such as Tower Bridge and Downing Street.
Principle funding for the project came from the East Suffolk Lines and Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnerships, the Railway Heritage Trust and the Department for Transport Designated Community Rail Development Fund, administered by the Association of Community Rail Partnerships.
Martin Halliday, Community Rail Development Officer said, “We are thrilled that the new lighting for Lowestoft Station has been installed, they have certainly proved a talking point with their elegant, classic style far more befitting of a Victorian Station.
"We spent many hours researching the right style of fittings in order that they would suitably compliment the station buildings, creating another important link with the past yet providing the very latest in energy efficient technology.”
Simone Bailey, Greater Anglia’s Asset Management Director, said: “As part of our ongoing upgrade of station facilities across our network, we planned to install LED lighting at Lowestoft this year.
"By working with the Community Rail Partnership we have been able to include some spectacular fittings that both celebrate the history of the station but also incorporate the latest energy saving technology.
"We are always looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint and this is the latest initiative which will help the environment.”
Gemma Snelling, from manufacturer DW Windsor said, “We were pleased to work with the East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership and Greater Anglia to find a suitable design of lighting befitting of the station history. The specified luminaire is still made as it was in 1976 - hand-crafted from Copper, using traditional techniques. Offering high ingress protection, easy maintenance and award-winning optical performance, delivering an energy-efficient, future-fit solution for many years to come.”