Darley Dale Station Project

We originally funded repairs to the down platform wall and temporary platform surfacing. We have also paid for the Midland Railway lamp posts that have been erected on the down platform and for the Midland Railway style wooden fencing along the rear of the platform. More recently, much of the down platform was tarmacked, and Midland Railway lamps were installed on the up platform.

The Trust has also acquired the original station footbridge. This will be restored and put back in its original position spanning the track at Darley Dale.

Station Down Building

This building is grade 2 listed and is owned by Derbyshire Dales District Council. It has been unoccupied for 40 years since the last tenant left. The Trust has spent a lot of time, money and effort over the years to obtain a long term lease from the District Council. This was vital if the trust was to have any chance of securing a large Heritage Fund grant to restore the building for multiple use.

At present the building is in a derelict state and is constantly deteriorating. There is an urgent need to rescue the building from further deterioration, and to keep it water tight so that it can be restored it to its former glory and be adapted for modern use by the existing heritage railway, the local community and visitors to the railway. The District Council has spent money on stabilising chimney stacks and more recently (2018/19) on roof repairs.

©David Lathorpe

The physical condition of the structure itself is evidenced by two reports that have been commissioned by the Trust, one in 2006, the other 2008. One was a condition survey and the other a conservation study. However, things have moved and the District Council intends to place the property on the commercial market.

Without a massive injection of funds, if the trust was now to secure a lease, it could not responsibly meet its obligations propping up the building until a major grant could be secured which might take up to 3 years to secure.

Heritage

The Down Building is grade 2 listed : listing number 429806, 26 October 1972. In the listing it is described as:

“Circa 1849. Coursed stone rubble with ashlar dressings; single storeyed; 1 3 light mullioned window and 2 Arched doorways with fanlights, all with hood moulds extending overall as bands; dentilled eaves; end gables with moulded copings, kneelers and ball head finials; stone stack; slates. No longer in use” Historic England - list entry