Regeneration of train station continues with scheme to reopen original arched entrances

First images revealed of new Lowestoft railway station doors under construction. Pictures: Greater Anglia (Image: Archant)

And as work continues to restore parts of the iconic Lowestoft Railway Station building, a project is under way to build three new sets of heritage doors and reopen the original station entrances that have been closed for more than 25 years.

With the first images revealed of the three new sets of arched doors being constructed, the next phase of works will see the creation of a new public exhibition space.

Craftsmen from Oulton Broad based joinery company, MS Oakes, are currently building the doors having removed the badly corroded originals during the summer. Once replaced, station entrances that had been closed for over a quarter of a century will be brought back into regular use – significantly improving connections to the town centre.

At more than 8ft high, each set of doors were originally thought to have been of a slightly different pattern however on stripping these back it was found that they were indeed identical but had been modified over the years.

Although too badly decayed to be restored, the original design is being carefully replicated and once completed the doors will be finished in dark green, complimenting the Great Eastern Railway heritage painting scheme recently introduced across the site.

This latest phase of works has been commissioned by the East Suffolk Lines Community Rail Partnership in conjunction with train operator Greater Anglia with principle funding for the scheme obtained from the Railway Heritage Trust, the Department for Transport's Designated Community Railway Development Fund and both the East Suffolk Lines and Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnerships.

Work to restore the former parcels office at the station enters its next phase later this month as work begins to convert the building into a new public exhibition space able to host a variety of events and activities. It comes after new lighting was recently installed on the Victorian concourse.

Martin Halliday, Community Rail Partnership development officer, said; 'We are delighted that our plans to regenerate major parts of the station continue to progress. It was important for the project to work with local craftsmen and we are extremely pleased with progress so far.

'Once the doors are complete it will enable the re-opening of the doorways facing Station Square, a major factor in re-engaging the wider station site with the town centre.'