Glory days to return for classic film's home

STATION IN LINE FOR FACELIFT CASH JOY

By PHILIP CARDY

CASH HOPES: The historic railway station at Carnforth

CARNFORTH'S historic railway Station could receive a �100,000 boost to help restore it to its former glory; it was announced today.

The station, which was made famous in the classic film Brief Encounter, is in line for a pay-out towards the � l.5m total renovation costs.

Vital

The Carnforth Station and Railway Trust, a local charitable body Set up in 1996 aiming to Save the Station building from demolition, has been in talks with Lancaster Council about their plans for improving the Station site.
They have been told the authority is looking to contribute �100,000 towards the scheme, which is viewed as a vital element in the overall regeneration of Carnforth.

Work has already started to restore the station, after Lancashire County Council committed �145.000 and the Rural Development Agency confirmed a redundant building grant of �56,000 towards the Costs.

However, the Trust has been told that a bid to the Heritage Lottery Fund has failed, as they are reluctant to support a project of this scale.

Ann Dale, spokesman for Carnforth station project, said: "The Trust was extremely disappointed to hear recently that the Heritage Lottery Fund, being four times over subscribed, is reluctant to sup port a heritage project of this Size.

"However, discussions are continuing both with the Heritage Lottery Fund and the other funding bodies, and it appears likely that with the confirmation of the support expressed to date, the trust will raise the bulk of the necessary funds. With the Support Of the general public the project will be achieved."

Converted

She said; "The proposals, for which planning permission has been obtained, are for the station buildings to be rein stated and converted to a mix of uses.

"These will include the provision of a visitor centre celebrating Carnforth's railway and industrial history and its part in the development of the railways serving the North West of England.

"There will also be tourist shops and, of course, the reinstatement of the refreshment room. the scene of the romantic meeting between Trevor Howard and Celia Johnson in Brief Encounter."

She said: "With the current aim being to persuade tourists to hang up their car keys and travel by train, the Trust believes Carnforth station will be a major attraction luring travellers away from the congested M6, giving access by train to some of the more remote but just as beautiful areas of countryside and coast in Cumbria."

Firms wishing to take part can contact the Trust on their e-mail address: [email protected]

Lancashire Evening Post 5 ^th May 1999

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