Major grant supports Hebden Bridge signal box preservation

A GRANT of £99,600 from the National Lottery Heritage

Fund has been awarded to the Calder Valley Community Land Trust (CLT), which is preserving the redundant Grade II listed Lancashire & Yorkshire signalbox and creating a heritage centre.

Built in 1891, the ’box still retains its lever frame but began to suffer low-level vandalism after closing in 2018. In partnership with the Friends of Hebden Bridge Station, the trust will now oversee the restoration of the interior of the box.

A computer simulation system will be installed, allowing visitors the virtual experience of using the existing signal levers ‘to signal a train’ through the

Hebden Bridge section of the Calder Valley line.

The National Lottery Heritage Fund is also supporting the appointment of a project officer who will work with local people to enable a better understanding of the ‘box’s heritage through a series of oral history recordings by former signal operators.

The ground floor will be adapted and made available for visitors looking for quirky overnight accommodation, the income from which will help fund its future maintenance.

The project has also received a £4500 grant from The Railway Heritage Trust. Work to transfer ownership of the box to the CLT from Network Rail is ongoing.