Rail passengers are being thanked for their patience while the main entrance to Stoke-on-Trent station has been temporarily closed for urgent roof repairs. Network Rail engineers acted quickly to secure loose decorative stonework above platform one and the ticket hall after it was found during a routine inspection.

 

Within hours of the checks a crane was installed so structure teams could remove the ‘finials’ on the Grade II listed building. High winds made the removal of the ornate architectural features a challenge throughout Thursday.

The stonework has been taken away for restoration and temporary repairs have been made allowing the main entrance and platform one to reopen at the Avanti West Coast managed station. Network Rail released impressive drone footage of the work being carried out.

Alistair Bush, Network Rail senior asset engineer, said: “When we discovered the loose finials we acted as fast as we could to start the necessary repairs. I appreciate this has caused disruption to passengers accessing the station and caused platform changes so I’d like to pay tribute to everyone for bearing with us. Stoke station is a beautiful example of railway architecture and we’re now working hard with heritage experts to make sure our repairs are done sensitively while at the same time keeping the station accessible for passengers.”

Laura Harper, Avanti West Coast station manager at Stoke-on-Trent, said: “We would like to thank customers for their patience and understanding while Network Rail carried out urgent repairs to stonework on the station’s roof. The stonework is a heritage feature of Stoke-on-Trent station, and we’ll continue to work with Network Rail as they restore it to ensure access to the station can be maintained.”  

Plans are being drawn up with heritage experts on how the permanent repairs can be carried out while causing the least disruption to trains.

People are reminded that during times of unexpected disruption they can check www.nationalrail.co.uk for the latest travel information.