Plaques unveiled after heritage restoration

COMMEMORATIVE plaques have been unveiled at both Kettering and Wellingborough stations after Network Rail completed work to modify the Grade II listed platform canopies.

The changes were needed due to the electrification of the Midland Main Line. Throughout the project, Network Rail and East Midlands Railway worked closely with the Railway Heritage Trust which contributed £2.5m to the scheme. Network Rail teams have carefully restored many of the canopies’ original features, including the finials, columns and roofs at both stations.

PICTURE: NETWORK RAIL Andy Savage, executive director for Railway Heritage Trust (left) and Dr Toby Driver (right), great-great-grandson of station architect Charles Henry Driver with the Wellingborough plaque. The task was the final one by Mr Savage who retires after a 50-year career on the railway, including 12 years at the Railway Heritage Trust. He has been succeeded by Tim Hedley-Jones, but becomes a non-executive Director of the RHT, and deputy chairman.