The Society successfully lists elements of Worcester's railway boom

Opened in 1852, Shrub Hill Station in Worcester served as a joint station for the Midland and Great Western Railways, quickly becoming the focal point for a bustling railway district east of the city centre. This district included locomotive works, goods yards, wagon repair sheds, industrial facilities, branch lines, and sidings, establishing Worcester as a significant railway hub in the 19th century.

While some original elements, such as the 1860s Worcester Engine Works and the exquisite Italianate station building with its cast iron platform waiting room, remain, many other historical features are now at risk due to redevelopment plans. In 2022, our Listings team submitted three applications, with two successfully securing listing. The first application sought to protect the goods sheds. These sheds were essential for managing lucrative goods traffic and feature distinctively-patterned iron window frames.

The application for the Midland Railway's goods shed was successfully listed (Grade II, 1867-1868, Midland Railway’s architect’s department, Derby). The other was rejected and has now been demolished. Our second successful application focused on Shrub Hill Station itself (Grade II, 1852, rebuilt 1865 to the designs of Edward Wilson) emphasising its unique raised embankment design with twin curving ramps and a station undercroft, as it was unclear whether the undercroft was covered by the 1971 station listing. Our application sought certainty on the matter and we were pleased to be told that the listing entry has been amended to include this historic feature. As an additional bonus, the K6 phone box was also listed. Read more here about the goods shed. Read more here about the station.
Photo credit: K6 Telephone Kiosk, Shrub Hill Railway Station Worcester Copyright Stephen Richards and licensed for reuse under Creative Commons Licence.

11/10/2023

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