Effort to Revitalize Disused Railway Station

A disused railway station may be reactivated if sufficient funds are secured for its restoration. Volunteers estimate that £70,000 will be needed to repair Middleton Towers, a Victorian station in Norfolk, near King’s Lynn, which historically facilitated the transport of sand from the nearby Bawsey quarry. The site retains several original features from its operational era, including an ornate canopy and separate waiting rooms for men and ladies. The initiative aims to convert the station into a community space dedicated to preserving and celebrating its history. Middleton Towers, the initial station on the Lynn and Dereham railway, ceased passenger services in 1968. Alex Brammer, a member of The Middleton Towers Restoration Group, expressed his strong commitment to the project. He stated, “The Victorians spared no expense, they had so much to do and so much to give to make Britain look amazing,” adding, “It’s our job now to keep it that way. That’s what I want to do here. It’s a piece of history that has to be saved otherwise we have nothing left.” He further commented, “If there’s no history, everything is just going to look boring.” Mr. Brammer attributed his passion for railways to his grandfather, John, who served as a guard on the Wisbech to March line during the 1950s. He also remarked, “I’m more into the buildings than the trains to be honest,” and continued, “He’d tell me off for that! But to me it’s about the history and protecting what people really put their hard graft into.” Agreements have now been finalized with Network Rail, the current owners, for the site’s restoration, with the initial task involving the replacement of deteriorating brickwork. In addition to a ‘sponsor-a-brick’ fundraising campaign, the restoration group is actively seeking volunteers skilled in roofing and bricklaying. For updates on Norfolk news, follow BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram, and X. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external websites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available.