WORK has begun on rebuilding historic Lincolnshire’s historic Deeping St James signalbox following a campaign by villagers.
The 1876-built signalbox was demolished in 2014 to make way for new electric crossing gates as part of a £280 million modernisation of the Great Northern & Great Eastern joint line between Doncaster and Peterborough
However, many villagers were determined that it should be saved and launched an appeal for funds, backed by Heritage Railway.
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On March 10, South Holland and the Deepings Conservative MP John Hayes cut the first sod on the site for the re-erected box in front of a sizeable crowd.
The remnants to the structure were saved by Network Rail and are now stored in containers on a nearby farmer’s field. The major work on the project will start in September. Much of the work will be carried out by New College Stamford construction students.
The signalbox is considered of immense local historical importance as it carried the original name of the village.
Mr Hayes was instrumental is obtaining a government grant to allow a new site for the box to be built near the stationmaster’s house in Station Road.
When rebuilt, the ‘box will be used as a heritage centre.
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