A commemorative plaque has been unveiled at the Cambrian Railway building in Oswestry, marking the site’s recent success at the National Railway Heritage Awards (NRHA). Chairman of Shropshire Council, Councillor Duncan Borrowman, and Andy Savage MBE, Chairman of the NRHA, led the ceremony to celebrate the building’s restoration and its win of the BAMM Nuttal Partnership Award.
Restoration of a Grade II-listed landmark
The project, managed by Shropshire Council’s Property Services Group, involved extensive conservation work between July 2024 and May 2025. Local specialists Phillips and Curry Ltd carried out the repairs, which included stabilizing the exterior masonry and replacing hazardous asbestos tiles with traditional Welsh slate. The building’s windows and doors were also repainted in authentic Cambrian Railway colors to maintain historical accuracy.
Environmental and community benefits
Beyond structural repairs, the restoration integrated ecological features, such as nesting boxes for swifts under the eaves and specialized bat roosting tiles along the roofline. The project was funded through a £765,250 contribution from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Rural England Prosperity Fund, alongside council investment, totaling approximately £1 million. Judges from the NRHA described the result as an outstanding major project achieved on a modest budget.
Future use for the Oswestry station
Originally opened in 1866 and closed in 1966, the building served as the headquarters for the Cambrian Railway and was a vital link for North Wales. While the ground floor is currently occupied by the Cambrian Heritage Railways charity, plans are being considered for the building’s long-term utility. Future phases may see the first floor converted into residential accommodation, with the ground floor supporting a mix of heritage tourism and commercial enterprises such as a restaurant or cafe.
Source: Shropshire Council Newsroom
/linkComments