Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled a new Carbis Bay station sign on Thursday (10 June) almost 70 years after his grandfather helped build the original.
The sign has been reinstated by Network Rail with their Chair, Sir Peter Hendy CBE, joining the Prime Minister at a ceremony held at the picturesque setting in Cornwall.
The new station sign is situated opposite the station platform. The border of the sign is made from re-used railway sleepers with the letters made from granite stone and infilled with seashells, in homage to design of the original station sign. The remaining space is filled with a series of plants adding some additional colour to the sign.
The original sign was constructed out of seashells but is believed to have been removed during World War Two. Following the War, the sign was rebuilt from white cobbles in the 1950s.
This addition to Carbis Bay station concludes Network Rail’s recent upgrades on the St Ives Bay line, following work earlier this year to complete a £3m track renewal between Carbis Bay and St Ives as well as resurfacing the platform at Carbis Bay station. This was the biggest track investment on the St Ives Bay line in 60 years and is helping to provide a more reliable railway for passengers in Cornwall.
Sir Peter Hendy CBE, Chair of Network Rail, said: “Before the war, and again in the 1950s and 60s, this unique sign welcomed local people and holidaymakers to Carbis Bay. I’m pleased that as part of our large investment in the future of the St Ives Bay railway we’ve been able to recreate it for everybody. I hope it’ll remain for generations to come and remind passengers of this lovely and memorable seaside place, as we welcome people back to the railway.”
Prime Minister, Boris Johnson, said: “It’s great to be back in my ancestral homeland of Cornwall this week to host the G7 Summit. The eyes of the world will be on Carbis Bay this weekend and I can think of no better way to mark this auspicious event than this fantastic homage to local history.”
Christian Irwin, Network Rail industry programme director, said: “It has been a real pleasure to re-create this historic signage at Carbis Bay Station as part of our recent £3m investment to upgrade the line between St Ives and Carbis Bay, which forms part of our wider west Cornwall rail investment strategy.
“As part of this investment we wanted to enhance the community feel of the railway, capturing some of its long history whilst demonstrating our gratitude for the community’s patience with us and positive support earlier this year when we shut the line and worked in close proximity to homes to complete these essential works.
“With the local area expecting a busy summer, we are just so pleased our work to renew the railway will continue to help safely and reliably transport our passengers to and from west Cornwall who will now also be welcomed by a new station sign upon arrival in Carbis Bay. I am sure it will be a welcome addition to our passengers and the community alike.”
GWR Managing Director, Mark Hopwood, said: “I am delighted that we are able to welcome you all to our station here at Carbis Bay and I would like to extend my thanks to Sir Peter for arranging the restoration of this key part of the station and its history.
“I am sure it has brought a great delight to visitors to this part of Cornwall in the past, and I am pleased that it can now do so for many years to come.”
Photo credit: Network Rail
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