£1m package to revamp famous halt gets go-ahead

Old station on track for fresh encounter

By Gayle Rouncivell

CARNFORTH railway station could soon be back on line after plans to redevelop it were unanimously approved by councillors this week.

And up to 28 local jobs could be created in the process when the development is completed.

The proposals, which include the change of use of part of the old railway buildings to a visitor centre, retail units and a restaurant, would bring welcome relief to a station which has in recent years been in very poor condition. And now that planning permission has been secured, Friends of the station must find the cash to pay for the transformation which could cost some £1 million.

Pete Yates, Carnforth Station and Railway Trust Company chairman, said: "We never expected it to happen quickly and we are taking a step by step approach.

"We are very pleased the council approved the planning because it means we have got the whole of the city behind us.

"Our next step is to try and get the national heritage lottery funding. Without that we would be struggling, but we still have an awful lot of work to do.

"We hope to have the station ready before 2000 but it all depends on how soon we can get the funding."

Work would also involve the improvement of the subway, and a waiting area and cycle store are expected to be built as part of the restoration plan.

The station, nationally renowned as providing the setting for the film 'Brief Encounter', is now unstaffed and most of its buildings have been unused for some time.

The new proposals have been prepared by Carnforth Station and Railway Trust following negotiations with Railtrack and the train operating companies using the station.

The plans were received with great enthusiasm by members of Lancaster City Council's planning committee.

Coun Jean Yates, who has been involved with the regeneration of Carnforth, said: "I am more than happy for this redevelopment to happen. This station will be the jewel in Carnforth's crown when the regeneration work is finished.

"It is part of the substantial changes that need to be made for Carnforth to be brought into the new millennium."

And Coun Ivor Thompson added: "I congratulate the people who have brought the project this far and it will be good to see it happen.

"And we desperately need the 25 or so jobs-that would be provided if it went ahead."

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