Funding refusal frustrates volunteers after years of campaigning to Northern and Network Rail

Volunteers have been left in limbo after funding for refurbishment of a former station building was pulled at the last minute.

The Alderley Edge Station Volunteer Group has been campaigning for several years to both Network Rail and Northern for funding to refurbish an unused building on the Down line platform.

The canopy on the building had been deemed unsafe by Network Rail and torn down in 2022, leaving just the old station building in place.

After closure of the building, funding for the refurbishment was sought.

The station group drew up plans for a community space to occupy the empty building, with support from residents and businesses. It planned to house a cafe, function room and potentially toilets, as well as operate a ‘Men in Sheds’ scheme from the building.

The group was then invited to apply for funding, under a community use grant from Northern. The scheme was one of 50 initially reviewed and, along with plans for both Broadbottom station in Greater Manchester and Silverdale station in Lancashire, was awarded a grant as part of the scheme in mid-2024.

Initially, the refurbishment was estimated to cost up to 250,000. As well as the grant, part of the funding was to come from the Railway Heritage Trust, which pledged up to £80,000, depending on a successful business case approval from the Department of Transport. However, according to the station group, despite assurances late last year that the work would be approved and begin in 2025, it was notified at the Northern Investment Board meeting on January 21 that DfT approval would not be forthcoming.

“It has been frustrating as we just want some clarity. We don’t understand the hold-up and we’ve had numerous false starts with getting this started,” said Kelvin Briggs, chair of the group.

“We’ve put a lot of effort into getting the station looking the way it is, and we won Cheshire’s Best Kept Station last year for our efforts. However, sometimes it feels like we are ‘putting lipstick on a pig’, as the fabric of the buildings have deteriorated, and repairs and redecoration are much needed.”

No official reason for the refusal was given to the group, although the DfT told RAIL that it had asked for a revised business case proposal in January. Northern had initially told the group that the funding for all three projects had been ‘axed’.

Briggs added: “It is hugely frustrating to not know where we stand and who is to blame for the hold-up.”

The group has met with Northern to discuss the scheme further. According to Briggs, the meetings were productive with Northern agreeing to review potential funding options for the project to continue.

Tim Hedley-Jones, executive director for the Railway Heritage Trust, said: “We’re keen to work with the station group on its plans, as the station has significant ties to the local conservation area. We remain hopeful that the work can be completed.”

Robert Ellams, head of property for Northern, said: “We remain committed to working with partners to realise the social and community benefits that our stations, including Alderley Edge, can bring to their local community. Meetings are currently taking place with local stakeholders to explore potential opportunities.”