Britains oldest working Signal Box - 1870 - demolition due to start next month. Billog box - Station Road.

r00fie1

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https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/19029295.signal-box-set-pulled-next-month/

Signal box set to be pulled down next month​

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TIME is almost up on a campaign to save an “iconic” signal box as the start date for demolition looms.

Network Rail plans to remove Billingham signal box, on Station Road, next month as part of its plans for a major resignalling project on the Durham coast line.
There has been a campaign to save the box but Network Rail says removal is the only option.

Alex Cunningham, MP for Stockton North, said: “I've been contacted by residents and campaigners about the signalling boxes at Billingham and Norton West.

"I'm hearing that the Billingham signalling box is set for demolition. The Norton West one is set to be repurposed. As yet I've not received anything official from Network Rail about either of these.

“I've asked Network Rail about these issues and I'm hoping for a response quickly.

“It is clear however that local people don't want the Billingham box to be demolished – a view I support. I'm hoping Network Rail will listen, pause and look at its potential.”

Network Rail says scaffolding will go up on Saturday, January 30, with work due to start on Saturday, February 6.

Station Road will be closed for the duration of the work, which is scheduled to be completed by February 9.

The demolition was meant to take place last year but was delayed because of Covid-19.
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Chris Gee, operations director for Network Rail, said: “We’re carrying out major improvements to modernise level crossings and the signalling on the Durham Coast Line, which will bring more reliable services for passengers. As part of the project, Billingham signal box on Station Road will be taken down next month.

“We understand how important the signal box is for people in Norton and wherever possible, we work with the local community to see if there’s a safe and sustainable way to keep signal boxes in place. In this case, removing it is our only option so that we can carry out vital work to upgrade Billingham level crossing.


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It is so sad - even worse because a 4 year campaign to save it appeared to have succeeded but the main backer of the scheme had to pull out of because of economic effects of Covid. I signed the petition months ago and it looked like it was being saved at that time. So, I was shocked when I heard the news today.

To lose the signal box (owned by Network Rail) and footbridge (council owned) in one go is so sad. All the signal boxes are going in Norton too.
 
https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/19029295.signal-box-set-pulled-next-month/

Signal box set to be pulled down next month​

12245757
(2)

TIME is almost up on a campaign to save an “iconic” signal box as the start date for demolition looms.

Network Rail plans to remove Billingham signal box, on Station Road, next month as part of its plans for a major resignalling project on the Durham coast line.
There has been a campaign to save the box but Network Rail says removal is the only option.

Alex Cunningham, MP for Stockton North, said: “I've been contacted by residents and campaigners about the signalling boxes at Billingham and Norton West.

"I'm hearing that the Billingham signalling box is set for demolition. The Norton West one is set to be repurposed. As yet I've not received anything official from Network Rail about either of these.

“I've asked Network Rail about these issues and I'm hoping for a response quickly.

“It is clear however that local people don't want the Billingham box to be demolished – a view I support. I'm hoping Network Rail will listen, pause and look at its potential.”

Network Rail says scaffolding will go up on Saturday, January 30, with work due to start on Saturday, February 6.

Station Road will be closed for the duration of the work, which is scheduled to be completed by February 9.

The demolition was meant to take place last year but was delayed because of Covid-19.
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Chris Gee, operations director for Network Rail, said: “We’re carrying out major improvements to modernise level crossings and the signalling on the Durham Coast Line, which will bring more reliable services for passengers. As part of the project, Billingham signal box on Station Road will be taken down next month.

“We understand how important the signal box is for people in Norton and wherever possible, we work with the local community to see if there’s a safe and sustainable way to keep signal boxes in place. In this case, removing it is our only option so that we can carry out vital work to upgrade Billingham level crossing.


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Tragic. We should be keeping our heritage; far too much was destroyed over the years- the one at Prospect Junction would've been amazing for tourism if they'd kept it and the line open. Many many lines killed communities when they were removed.
 
Both Norton boxes going too.
As i said above a long running campaign seemed to have succeeded only for the main funder to be forced to pull out due to covid.
It is so sad.
 
The one on Station Road Norton is a lovely little box, manually operated too. Used to watch the signalman pulling the levers with my kids when they were smaller.
 
Sadly anything other than Grade One (very rare) offers very little protection nowadays.

Dear Steve Gibson, please could you step in and by this signal box? Thanks
Grade 2* eg The Transporter and Webb House, Zetland Road has quite strict protection also. I know that seems ironic saying the Transporter bridge.
There is also some protection offered by conservation areas. I thought Station Road might have fit that bill actually. A working network must make that more difficult but when you consider the biggest survival of the original North East Railway is Albert Bridge and the ironwork platforms on top then so much has disappeared from the area that first introduced railways.
 
Sad.
I am Billingham born and bred and not old enough to have been around when the railway station was near The Station pub.
Strange how 'planning' sometimes works out.
I believe the station was moved to its present location near Cowpen Lane because the planners thought that the local trading estate would boom meaning the station needed to be moved for the massive workforce? (that sadly never arrived)

As a student at Huddersfield Uni there were actually a couple of trains per day direct from Billingham-Huddersfield.
It was painfully slow mind, calling in at Darlington, Northallerton, York, Leeds and taking two and a half hours to get to Huddersfield.
Nightmare really but I caught it once or twice. Felt good not to have to change.

More often I'd get the train to Darlington then change to get back to Middlesbrough or Thornaby
(Good god our train stations are awful - this was 30 years ago mind).
On a night train it used to sadden me going through the 'bright lights' of Billingham near the Station Pub (old station) only to be dropped off half a mile later in the middle of nowhere.
Bad enough being a resident but I imagine the first impression of a visitor getting off at the current Billingham Station would be pretty bleak.
 
As said by Foggy could it be given to a heritage railway line or a rail museum.

I remember as boy hearing about the Stockton railway station been neglected and how it was the first passenger station in the world and thinking something was wrong. Back then heritage was of low importance and the average person was much more interested in a new shopping centre or more flights to Majorca from Teesside Airport.
 
Grade 2* eg The Transporter and Webb House, Zetland Road has quite strict protection also. I know that seems ironic saying the Transporter bridge.
There is also some protection offered by conservation areas. I thought Station Road might have fit that bill actually. A working network must make that more difficult but when you consider the biggest survival of the original North East Railway is Albert Bridge and the ironwork platforms on top then so much has disappeared from the area that first introduced railways.
2* is better.

Can’t believe the Transporter is only Grade 2* ! Always thought it must be Grade 1. Very surprising.
 
2* is better.

Can’t believe the Transporter is only Grade 2* ! Always thought it must be Grade 1. Very surprising.
Tosh would know the answers but I suspect it is because the original gondola (flying ferry) was lost long ago.
The footbridge is still much used in Billingham. But obviously not accessible to all.
 
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