153rd Birthdays definitely need to be celebrated and the local Eridge community, along with Southeast Community Rail Partnership, Southern and other rail industry partners did exactly that this week.
The station serves rural communities around Eridge and has recently undergone a heritage styled makeover.
The project has received funding from the Railway Heritage Trust and Govia Thames Link Railway who are Southern's parent company. The restoration has been conscientiously undertaken to complement the character of the Spa Valley Railway who run heritage steam and diesel locomotives on their 5.5-mile line, and also share Eridge Station with Southern who provide services between London Bridge and Uckfield making travelling to SVR by train a great option.
The £30,000 grant used via the Railway Heritage Trust acknowledges the station's history and architecture of the buildings, which were originally opened on the 3rd of April 1868. The waiting room was previously derelict and has now become the main feature of the station boasting stunning wing-backed chairs, wood panelling, library shelving and original architect drawings which have been framed so everyone can enjoy them.
The Spa Valley Railway also received a grant which was to make and position six brand new station name signs on Southern's platform in keeping with the theme of Spa Valley's own logo.
Sharon Gray of Southeast Communities Rail Partnership, said: “The time seemed right to celebrate all the hard work that has gone into the restoration of this beautiful station, a thank you to all who have been involved in the project. What better way than to hold a birthday party for this lovely old station that has been a working member the local community for 153 years? ”
Southern's Customer Services Director Chris Fowler said: “This beautifully renovated and improved station is a result of the rail industry working in close partnership with the local community, not just to improve our customers' experiences as they return to rail travel but to make the station a more valuable asset for the community it serves.
“It's been an incredible team effort, combining the vital contributions of the Railway Heritage Trust, Rotherfield Parish Council and local artist David Peacock, our co-habitees Spa Valley Railway, Network Rail and their contractors, ourselves and our contractors, and the ideas and enthusiasm of our local customers and neighbours.
“Special thanks are due to Sharon Gray for her supreme effort and success in securing and coordinating the involvement of all our rail and community partners, and for organising this great event today.”
Mark Dodd, Spa Valley Railway Trustee, said: “It's been truly wonderful to be involved in this multi-organisational, holistic approach to bringing Eridge station back to its former glory. Our volunteers and customers have commented on how well presented the station is. I'd like to express my thanks to the GTR Project Team, NR/BAM Framework Team and the local teams -we've truly proved that we can all work together to deliver a station suitable for all of our customers. It's really a case of Modern meets Heritage.”
Network Rail Southern Regional Director John Halsall said: “Over the last few years, we have been working with stakeholders to improve Eridge station and I am delighted with the results so far. We are committed to restoring the station to its former glory while investing for the future with the recent footbridge upgrade and the current lift installation for step-free access to Platform 1. I'm very grateful to passengers for their patience whilst we carry out these projects.”
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