Lowestoft Station wins East Anglia's Best Loved prize

The 'World Cup Of Stations' vote was staged by the Community Rail Network and the Rail Delivery Group.

The competition sought to find the country's 'Best Loved Station', with Wemyss Bay station in Scotland winning the national prize and Lowestoft winning the regional title.

Lowestoft train station has a great history, here it is pictured in 1905 (Image: Newsquest)

Over the past few years, the Lowestoft Central Project has worked with the Wherry Lines Community Rail Partnership and other stakeholders to improve the Lowestoft station.

Jacqui Dale, from the Lowestoft Central Project, said: “We were thrilled to be voted as the region’s 'Best Loved Station'.

"The project team has worked hard with industry and community partners to rejuvenate the station. 

"Although we saw the competition as light-hearted fun, it was great to have an opportunity to showcase the improvements made at Lowestoft in a national competition which may hopefully inspire other groups to make their own stations both a focal point within and more attractive gateway to their own communities.”

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The building at the station had sat vacant for years before the refurbishment (Image: Newsquest)

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Improvement work has seen the addition of a public exhibition space in the former parcels office, the opening of a community rail shop and tourist information office, the reopening of doorways that had been closed for more than 50 years and the installation of enormous interpretation panels.

Lowestoft and Beccles were among 48 stations nominated for the tournament, which is an annual competition showcasing the best of community rail and the benefits that railways bring to residents.

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They were joined by Thetford and Southminster in the Eastern region.

Jonathan Denby, Greater Anglia’s head of corporate affairs, said: “I’m delighted that four of our stations have been put forward as some of the UK’s best.

"We are committed to improvements at stations to make them attractive and welcoming for passengers."

Lowestoft Station pictured with the snow falling (Image: Newsquest)