Romiley Station named Cheshire’s Best Kept

Romiley railway station in Stockport was awarded the top prize at the recent Cheshire’s Best Kept Stations Awards.

Romiley station won the top prize for the first time, and was among a number of Stockport stations to have been recognised at the awards, which cover the historic (pre-1974) borders of the county of Cheshire. Stockport won Art Project Award, Rose Hill won the Transport for Greater Manchester Award and Marple was named Cheshire’s Best Staffed Station; both Heaton Chapel and Reddish South railway stations were Highly Commended.

A record attendance of 200 people watched nineteen stations from across the region ‘score’ at Crewe Alexandra Hybrid Lounge, where the Cheshire Best Kept Stations Annual Awards were presented on Thursday 5 February.

The presentations took place before twelve Borough and Town Mayors, including Cllr Kerry Waters, the Mayor of Stockport and Wendy Nadin, the Mayoress of Stockport. The awards were presented by transport journalist and rail industry commentator Tony Miles.

On presenting the awards, Tony Miles said:

“While working for Northern to update its image bank of stations, I was especially struck by those where the community, alongside staff, had clearly made a real difference.

“There were flower beds, restored waiting rooms filled with pictures and historical artefacts, better information, and notices from the groups involved inviting others to come and join them. A great many of those examples were in Cheshire.

“The dedication shown by volunteers across these stations in Cheshire is simply amazing.”

On announcing the awards, Mark Barker, chair of Cheshire Best Kept Stations, said:

“Tonight is a celebration of you and your work as station volunteers. The care, commitment and pride you show make a tremendous difference, not only to the stations themselves but to the communities they serve.

“Stations are part of our daily lives. They are where journeys begin and end – the routine trips to work or the shops, a day out, a night out, or the important departures for holidays and university. They are where loved ones are welcomed home or waved on their way. They are gateways to our communities and to our lives.

“What you do touches many people, including yourselves, because working together on something worthwhile, constructive and shared brings real benefits to physical and mental wellbeing, to self-esteem and to confidence. The pride you take in your station shines out into the community and is felt by everyone who passes through.”

Rebecca Styles, a Regional Community and Sustainability Manager at Northern, said:

“We’re delighted that several of our stations were announced as winners at the Cheshire Best Kept Stations Annual Awards.

“It’s a fantastic opportunity to recognise the community groups and staff who make our stations pleasant and welcoming places that their local communities can be proud of. Their hard work makes a real difference.

“I’m really pleased to see that Romiley station won the Best Kept Station Award. Everyone who worked so hard to transform this station should be incredibly proud.”