Media

Scaffolding and roof cover quotes received

04/11/2023
We have received a quote from a very reputable local scaffolding company. The work would involve measures to help protect the ticket office building and canopy from further deterioration. A temporary roof cover will initially be on the building once the roof has been removed.
We await an update from an organisation who may fund our project, but the sticking point is still the fee Network Rail are asking for.

- Alex Brammer

Contract received from Network Rail

We have now received Network Rail's basic asset protection agreement (BAPA) and cost estimates. This will require the signing-off by myself and the head of restoration however, this will not be an immediate process as everything will be scrutinised thoroughly.

- Alex Brammer

25th August 2023

Technical and business clearance received from Network Rail

Following a process which has taken over six months, our group has now received business clearance and technical clearance from Network Rail, paving the way to a formal agreement between us to restore Middleton Towers railway station. This has been long-awaited and will form part of our partnership with Network Rail.
I will be informed of the next steps, which will include a formal agreement with Network Rail on exactly what will be done to the site and a timescale for the project. We are likely to enter an asset protection and optimisation (ASPRO) agreement with Network Rail.

- Alex Brammer

15th April 2023

A Christmas Message

"As 2022 draws to a close, I would like to thank everyone for their continued support for the project. Whilst we have not made physical progress on saving Middleton Towers, I feel assured that our efforts will be rewarded in 2023.

I would like to draw attention to where it all started: the video below. If I hadn’t have seen the footage from the brilliant Graham of the drone people, I may never have thought about taking on the project and those particular people in high positions who do not see it for it’s true value.

The station closed almost 55 years ago, but in the space of 12 months, we have laid down some good ground work in preparation for future restoration work.

I will make it clear that I will not let anything get in our way as we save the station. With our continued determination, we will make it happen.

There remains an ember of the Lynn and Dereham railway and it will one day return.

Merry Christmas and a happy new year to everyone."

- Alex Brammer

16th December 2022

Business clearance from Network Rail

"We have received approval for business clearance for our plans. This is step one of two, the other being technical clearance. This is very positive news and I am confident that we will get past the technical stage.

Following approval, we will essentially have the all-clear to get our team and resources together to start work, subject to approval from Network Rail and all other relevant parties."

- Alex Brammer

4th November 2022

A further update from Network Rail

"A clearance process is in action and will give us an idea of what we can and can’t do with the site. ETA 8-12 weeks.

If we obtain both business and technical clearance, the Network Rail asset protection team will advise on how the work can potentially be done. Network Rail will not be charging us for this process. I will update everyone once information comes through."

- Alex Brammer

18th October 2022

An update from Network Rail

"A request has been sent to the relevant teams to initiate the two-step process of clearance, consisting of a 14-day day property clearance and a 28-day technical clearance. This will give Network Rail an idea of any issues and concerns with regards to safety etc. We will be informed when comments of feedback come back during the clearance process."

- Alex Brammer

17th May 2022

Site visit with Network Rail

"It was great to meet the representative from the properties team at Network Rail today at the station site this morning. We discussed the condition of the station site and our aims for restoring it.
A further visit to the site with Network Rail will be organised and will establish the structural integrity and safety of the site.

An interesting development is that an individual in the local community is in possession of the original station sign. We will seek to restore the old sign and propose to acquire it. It was initially thought that the sign was long gone.

Some concerns were raised which may hinder or completely stop our project entirely:

- A dropped curb entering the car park of the site will be required for construction vehicles (eg. A vehicle skip) to enter the site.

- We will need to establish if there is a presence of bats on the site. If this turns out to be the case, our project will not be able to go ahead as bats are a protected species.

- The representative for James Wild MP is keen to know the estimated cost for restoring the site. This will be established at a later date, after the second visit with Network Rail.
Knowing a figure for renovation costs is key, before we do any further crowdfunding projects.

- There are concerns over the safety and practicality of using the site during Sibelco’s operations. It was proposed that any restoration work would occur on a weekend, negating this problem entirely. We would however need to approach Sibelco to propose a split driveway to the site, using the site’s current car park area. This is the only way to access the site without going via the platform."

- Alex Brammer

17th March 2022

A Royal Message

"Not too long ago, I sent a letter to Her Majesty The Queen regarding our group and I sent my well wishes for the Platinum Jubilee. I was delighted to receive a letter from Windsor Castle this morning.

I have been informed in writing that Her Majesty was interested to see some of my photographs of the station, as well as a snippet from the Lynn News."

- Alex Brammer

22nd February 2022

Media Features

"Village group proposes to restore Middleton Towers back to health"
Lynn News, 14th January 2022
Link: https://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/village-group-proposes-to-restore-middleton-towers-back-to-h-9235109/

Our group's aims were first highlighted to the local community in the Lynn News to raise awareness for our project and the state of the station site.

"New rail sign for disused Middleton Towers station"
Lynn News, 8th February 2022
Link: https://www.lynnnews.co.uk/news/new-rail-sign-for-station-restoration-project-9239162/

Group member, Graham Ashwell kindly donated a custom-made Middleton Towers sign. We plan to install this on the side of the building once renovation work begins.

On the morning of 28th January 2022, group founder Alex Brammer spoke with Jill Bennett on BBC Radio Norfolk, to discuss the project and the history behind the Lynn and Dereham railway.

"Middleton Towers branch revival scheme gathers pace"
Heritage Railway Magazine, 18 January 2022
Link: https://tinyurl.com/mrxb5594

Our group featured in the January 2022 edition of the national magazine Heritage Railway, appearing on shelves in W.H Smith and other newsagents across the country.