Published on: Wednesday, 6 February 2019
Last updated: Wednesday, 6 February 2019
Information boards illustrating the history of the railway at South Woodham Ferrers have been unveiled at the rail station.
The three large double-sided boards display the history of the Crouch Valley rail line which runs from Wickford to Southminster, on one side - with special reference to South Woodham Ferrers.
The other side of the boards displays rail safety posters designed by local schoolchildren following a rail safety project that they worked on with the Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership.
They were officially unveiled by the town’s Mayor, Peter Wyatt, on Tuesday 5 February with the station adopter, Bob Barnes, John Frankland of the South Woodham Ferrers History Society, Lynda Stone, Community Rail Partnership Officer and the children of Woodville Primary School, with their teacher, Lindsey Palmer, in attendance.
The project has been funded by the Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership Funding, South Woodham Ferrers Town Council, local charity Village Group and ACORP in conjunction with train operator, Greater Anglia.
All the information and images for the boards were supplied by John Frankland of the South Woodham Ferrers History Society.
Community Rail Officer, Lynda Stone, said, “The boards provide a great link between the rail station and the town and are full of interesting information, which makes the station a great start to exploring the town.”
“The area and the rail line have such a rich and fascinating history and this is a great way to put people in touch with it the minute they arrive by train.”
The Essex and South Suffolk Community Rail Partnership works with Greater Anglia, Essex County Council and other local organisations to help keep rural rail lines thriving for the benefit of local communities.