The East Lancashire Railway (ELR) has received planning approval for a £12 million development of its Buckley Wells locomotive depot in Bury.
Buckley Wells locomotive depot is an important part of the ELR's overall operations. On Tuesday, 22nd February, Bury Council's planning department approved the railway's plans for a multi-million pound expansion of the engineering facilities and important refurbishment works to the Grade II-listed workshop.
The depot was built in 1857, and is the oldest engineering workshop in the world still in operation. The plans include the construction of a new locomotive running shed, the incorporation of associated new workshops and training facilities, and the construction of a standalone carriage shed.
Speaking at the committee meeting and with further comments, ELR Chairman Mike Kelly, said: “One of the reasons we're so passionate about heritage is to preserve and protect for today, tomorrow and into the future.
“We are fortunate here in Bury to have such an iconic artefact from almost the birth of the industrial revolution and railways which was at its zenith.
“50 years ago, Bury Council gave the ELR a home at Castlecroft and throughout those years many thousands of volunteers have and continue to give their time freely to work every day in preserving and protecting this rich industrial transport heritage as a ‘living history'.
“I have every confidence in the ELR's determination to be the best heritage railway in the UK and the securing planning permission is fantastic news and sends a very strong message of support and confidence in the ELR to our volunteers and staff, knowing they have the future which they have worked so hard for, especially, through the dark days of Covid. This is just the start of a long journey which will involve securing the necessary funds for construction and refurbishment of our Buckley Wells depot”.
Was there on 26/27th but nobody mentioned this. Thought they would be shouting from the rooftops about their success.
Great to see Ivatt 41241 running well. In the late 1950s she was running past the end of my garden in the city of Bath when she was very busy on the S & D out of Green Park. Pleased that they are able to complete this work – I did contribute to the restoration of the Ivatt tank, but have not been involved in this one.
I trudt that the improvements at Buckley Wells Depot will include provision of a viewing route for Railway Enthusiasts.
This is certainly good news… Hopefully the ELR could still be forever using those Historic Works for Future Generations…
The ELR could even start passenger shuttle rides to (and from) Buckley Wells, where it could interchange with the Metrolink, from where the Bury Line passes by up to nearby Bury Interchange.