Part of Wolverhampton's Low Level station to get a new lease of life at the Severn Valley Railway

Steel work reclaimed from the former Wolverhampton Low Level Station will get a new lease of life at the Severn Valley Railway as part of a project to upgrade its Kidderminster station.

The ornate metal work salvaged from Low Level station, which closed in 1981, will be incorporated into a planned new canopy over the platforms at the heritage railway.

The scheme has been praised by Wolverhampton councillor Simon Bennett, who said he was delighted that part of the city’s heritage would live on at the Severn Valley.

The railway’s Kidderminster station, which opened in 1984, is a reproduction of how a Great Western Railway station would have looked prior to nationalisation of the railways in the 1940s. A large glazed canopy was built over the concourse in 2006, and it is hoped the new canopy over the platforms will mark the completion of the project.

About 10 per cent of the new canopy will be made from steel work reclaimed from Low Level, preserving an important piece of the city's rich railway heritage for future generations.

The completed canopy will provide improved shelter for passengers while becoming a striking architectural feature in its own right

Councillor Bennett said: "This is exactly the sort of heritage preservation project that deserves to be celebrated.

“Wolverhampton has a proud railway history, and while it's a shame that so much of Low Level station has been lost over the years, it's fantastic to know that part of it will live on rather than being left to deteriorate or disappear altogether."

He said the Severn Valley Railway had an outstanding reputation for preserving railway heritage, and the project was a wonderful example of that work in action.

“Reusing original Victorian steelwork isn't just sustainable, it ensures an authentic piece of Wolverhampton's history continues to be appreciated by thousands of visitors every year.

“As someone with a passion for railways and railway preservation, I know just how much these original features mean to enthusiasts and local people alike.

“Once our railway heritage is lost, we cannot replace it, so projects like this are incredibly important."

The Severn Valley Railway has launched an appeal to raise £1 million towards the cost of the project, and Councillor Bennett urged people to donate.

About 70 tons of steel will go into the new canopy, which will provide improved shelter for passengers while becoming a striking architectural feature in its own right.

Severn Valley chief executive Gus Dunster said: "Kidderminster is the front door of the Severn Valley Railway, and this project will make it a gateway worthy of what lies beyond.

"A canopy will transform the welcome we can give our visitors, making a wait on the platform part of the experience itself. It will strengthen the sense of arrival at one of Britain's leading heritage railways and enhance the station for everyone who visits."

Judith Meredith, chairman of the Severn Valley Railway trust, said: "It feels like we're finally putting the last missing piece into place at Kidderminster. This is an aspirational project that will transform the platform and complete the original vision for the station."

Wolverhampton Low Level Station, behind the present station which was previously known as High Level, closed to passengers services in March, 1972, but remained in use as a parcels depot until 1981.

The main station building is now used as a banqueting hall, with flats and a Premier Inn hotel also occupying the site.

To donate to the project, please see the website https://www.svrtrust.org.uk/raisetheroof