Please consider donating today, by clicking on one of the options below. Thank you for supporting our efforts to restore Middleton Towers railway station.
In early 2024, our organisation signed a basic asset protection agreement (BAPA) with Network Rail, which essentially kickstarts our project after over 2.5 years of background preparation.
As a community group, we are a non-profit organisation so any donations will go solely into the restoration of the platform buildings.
How the money will be spent
Cost of materials.
Equipment hire.
Scaffolding hire.
Compulsory public liability insurance.
Employer's liability insurance.
Network Rail have waived a substantial five-figure asset protection fee, as they consider our project to be a non-recoverable community scheme. From hereon, crowdfunding will be crucial for our efforts, until we confirm an agreement with an organisation we are currently talking to with regards to funding.
Background
I founded the Middleton Towers Restoration Group in July 2021 with one initial aim; to fully restore the former railway station site to be used by the local community. As of late 2023, we are a group of over 700 railway enthusiasts, engineers and tradespeople who want to see our community effort come into fruition. After over two years of research, phone calls, emails and negotiations, we are edging very close to the commencement of work on our project.
History
On 7th September 1968, the Lynn and Dereham railway closed to passengers, ending over 120 years of use and marked the end of what is now a much-needed rail connection between King's Lynn and Norwich, via Dereham.
Middleton Towers served as the first station on the line and remains to be the only station to have retained some track. The station now serves as a freight-loading point for silica sand from the local Leziate quarry run by Sibelco UK Ltd.
Our Vision
The former ticket office and platform access room are in dire need of repair and these buildings are owned by Network Rail. The station house however is in great condition, but this privately owned by Sibelco. We are currently in discussions with Network Rail to obtain permission to renovate their portion of the site.
A consensus amongst our members is that under our plans, the site would serve as a public tea room and as a museum for the former King’s Lynn to Dereham railway.
Please note: whilst we share a similar name, our group is not affiliated with Middleton Castle which is situated next to our operations. We highly recommend giving them a visit. Their website is: www.middletoncastle.com