The long awaited project to restore Saltash Station to its former glory has received much acclaim amongst locals and across the region. After many years of dereliction, Saltash Town Council boldly took the building under their wing and with the help of many partners have delivered a result that will deliver benefit to many.

The project took a derelict former station building and transformed it into a multi use Community space, that has already been used for meetings, presentations, a Murder Mystery night and a banquet dinner. In addition part of the building is given over to provide passenger waiting facilities, providing a warm and welcoming space for anyone waiting for a train. There are toilet and baby change facilities and hopefully soon somewhere to buy refreshments.

The town council worked with local architects, The Bailey Partnership and their construction partner Cormac to deliver something to be very proud of. The project has been funded with the help of grants from Cornwall Council, Great Western Railway, The Railway Heritage Trust and the Community Rail Network, and some critical assistance from Network Rail.

Earlier in the year the project won two regional awards. At the Constructing Excellence South West Awards the project picked up 1st place in the Conservation & Regeneration category, and at the

the LABC Building Excellence regional awards, it won the Best Non Residential Conversion category.

Now, Isambard House, as the building is now called has scooped a major national prize at the National Railway Heritage Awards held on the 1st December in London. Deputy Mayor Councillor Richard Bickford accepted the award on behalf of Saltash Town Council. The Network Rail Community Award was presented by Network Rail CEO Andrew Haines.

The judges commented that the project was a ‘A really clever re-invention of a station, and something the residents and town council of Saltash should be proud’, and that it is, ‘A fitting neighbour to the famous historic railway bridge’.

Isambard Kingdom Brunel’s, world famous Royal Albert Bridge that spans the River Tamar begins just a few metres from Saltash Station and is well worth a visit.