New railway station roof designs revealed

A new Victorian-inspired roof could be reinstated at a 19th Century railway station, decades after the original was demolished.

British Rail removed the concourse roof at Lowestoft railway station in 1992, after discovering it needed substantial refurbishment.

The roof replacement scheme is part of plans to breathe new life into the station by the Lowestoft Central Project and Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership (CRP).

Chris Mitchell, chairman of the Wherry Lines CRP, said: "Our plan is to create a self-supporting structure that fully complements the remaining Victorian architecture."

It would provide "much-needed shelter for rail passengers and has a dual purpose in making the station an attraction in itself, able to host a variety of events and activities all year round", he added.

The designs show a double apex roof over the main station concourse with additional canopies situated over the station's three platforms.

The railway architects were asked to produce designs that drew upon the station's Victorian heritage and similar railway structures in the region.

Lowestoft railway station, which is the eastern-most station in the British Isles, dates back to 1855.

Its roof - rebuilt in Baltic pine after burning down shortly after it opened - was held up by props by 1938 and survived two world wars, according to the CRP.

The decision to demolish the roof came at a time when the local authority was proposing to relocate the station outside the town centre.

Fundraising took place over several years to enable the project to commission roof design concepts.

The next phase involves raising more money to create full architectural plans, which will then need to be fully costed.

"We are at the beginning of a very long journey in our efforts to reinstate a roof at Lowestoft station," said Mr Mitchell.

It is part of a wider heritage project hoping to restore much of the station, which has already resulted in the restoration of the former parcels office into an exhibition and meeting space and the opening of a volunteer-led community rail shop and tourist information office.

The Lowestoft Central Project and Wherry Lines CRP are also in discussions with train operator Greater Anglia about improvements to the station's public toilets.

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