Many Telford residents will be heading over to the newly opened platform at Lawley in the coming weeks. This platform has recently undergone a six-year-long repair project after it began to shift on its clay foundations in 2019. During these six years, Telford Steam Railway, a group of dedicated volunteers, has carried out essential work rebuilding the platform and installing steel foundations. The commitment of these individuals was shown by the extra effort they had to display in moving the materials to the platform, which, because it is so far away from a road, needed to be taken by train.
The funds that allowed this event to come to fruition likely came from a lot of sources. Luckily, it was not too expensive, as it utilised volunteer labourers and materials already had. Richard Owen, a spokesperson for the railway, mentioned that some of the money has gone towards purchasing more tracks and extending the railway line to Doseley. He also stated that the “dream” was to see the line extending all the way to Buildwas.
From a property perspective, the reopening of this station could bring notable benefits to the surrounding area. Improved transport links tend to drive interest from both buyers and investors, with local property values often reflecting accessibility enhancements. For those in the residential development sector, the station’s proximity to Lawley’s large housing developments could offer new incentives for families and commuters looking to move into the area — an example of how transport and property development are closely linked in shaping modern communities.
Moreover, this project reflects a broader trend in the UK where transport restoration projects act as catalysts for local regeneration. Estate agents and property developers in the West Midlands may find the upgraded railway a key talking point when marketing homes nearby. As infrastructure improves, Lawley and its neighbouring towns could witness increased demand — not just for homes, but for commercial spaces and leisure ventures as well. In a competitive housing market, features like local heritage, improved amenities, and volunteer-driven civic pride can meaningfully impact a property’s appeal and value.
Many people, in Telford and beyond, know this specific railway for the various Polar Express experiences that are put on during Christmas time. The work to restore this platform speaks, therefore, to the greater incentive to improve the recreational lives of UK residents. Seeking activities to make the most of our free time is something that unites the majority of the population. Whether individuals find fun on daytrips to the countryside or look for more immediate entertainment for themselves on UK non-Gamstop gambling websites that offer a wide range of bonuses and incentives for new players, finding fun things to do in the UK is, arguably, easier now than it has ever been before.
One well-known railway enthusiast, Pete Waterman, was invited to an event on the platform on Sunday, which celebrated 100 years of its flagship locomotive. The station will also be celebrating its 10th anniversary since its creation in 2015.
Trying to understand why the platform shifted in the first place, Richard Owen suggested that because the station was built on clay soil, rainfall over an extended period could have led to the platform’s movement. Why the station was built without the necessary reinforcements, or without taking into account the clay foundation, remains a mystery.
Owen then went on to speak about the difficulties the repair team faced over their six-year commitment to rebuilding the platform. For one, the station is right next to a large housing development in Lawley. Still, the volunteers persevered and are now able to see the results of their hard work.
The full day of celebration took place on Sunday and included free travel on the railway for residents of Lawley and Horsehay. Not only that, but visitors were able to enjoy free entertainment from a brass band, as well as watch a steam tram demonstration. The festivities might be over now, but Telford residents can still head over to the newly opened platform and celebrate the amazing work these volunteers have done.
