Shropshire: Council delighted with Cambrian Railway building return

The local authority recently completed a surrender back to the council of a lease of the historic, Grade-II listed Old Station Building at the Cambrian Heritage Railways’s (CHR) site in Oswald Road.

The building is home to the CHR, which will continue to operate its ticket office from within the building for the railway service to Weston Wharf while the council looks at future usage.

The council will continue to carry out essential repairs to the exterior of the building to ensure that this heritage property, with a rich history dating back to 1848, is preserved for the future.

CHR operates from the site and is a popular tourist attraction that opens from Easter to autumn each year.

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Councillor Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for growth, regeneration and housing, said: “As the local unitary council, we’re really pleased to have secured the opportunity to impact the future of a building with such heritage in Shropshire.

“In the short term, we’re working closely with CHR and Oswestry Town Council to ensure the premises are being cared for accordingly, as the opening at Easter nears.

“The building is currently undergoing some repairs, and we know the community is eager to see the exterior scaffolding removed. The scheme is set to be completed in the next few months.

“Thank you to the Oswestry community for their patience during this time; it hopefully won’t be too much longer until the historic railway building can be unveiled again.”

Philip Ellson, head of visitor services at CHR, added: “We are extremely grateful to Shropshire Council for allowing us the continued use of the ground floor area of the station and ticket hall, which is such an important asset for us as we start the next season of running train services from Oswestry to Weston Wharf this Easter.

“We recognise the historic importance of the building, and we are very keen to do all we can to help preserve the fabric until such time as a more permanent usage agreement can be sought.“

Duncan Kerr, Shropshire councillor for Oswestry South, said: “This is an iconic and much-loved building which is a key part of Oswestry’s heritage and could become a vital component of its future.

“A decade ago the building was home to many successful small businesses, which must give us all hope that life can return once again.

“Clearly the building now requires considerable investment, and I will continue to advocate for the building under Levelling Up and other funding programmes.”

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