SOS to save the world's oldest station, Heighington

Heighington station lies in a disgracefully derelict state beside the line on the edge of Newton Aycliffe, and it is estimated that £500,000 is needed to buy and stabilise it so that it is not an embarrassing eyesore during the railway’s 200th anniversary which is only 18 months away.

However, it is hoped that £400,000 can be raised through grant applications, which leaves the Friends appealing to members of the public and local companies to help raise the remaining £100,000.

Heighington station, when operational

“I know times are tough but if you want one place that encapsulates why the S&DR is internationally important, this is it,” said Niall Hammond, the chair of the Friends.

“It is where Locomotion No 1 was first placed on the tracks, it is where three boys became its first passengers, and it is the world’s first railway station – the cobbles outside it may well be the world’s first railway platform! All these things make it incredibly historically important, which is why it is a Grade II* listed building and so is among the top eight per cent of most important buildings in the country.

“In terms of the bicentenary celebrations for which so much is being planned in Durham, Darlington and Stockton, its current condition is a blot on our collective endeavours and Historic England have recently added it to their Heritage At Risk Register.

Friends in the rain at Heighington station on Wednesday. From left: Chris Lloyd, Trevor and Margaret Fenwick, Caroline Hardie, Cllr David Sutton-Lloyd, Cllr Jim Atkinson (both representatives of Aycliffe on Durham County Council), and Friends chair, Niall Hammond, with rail enthusiasts Rolo and Cleo

“It is a key location on the route of the planned S&DR cycle and footpath, and it could provide a completely different experience for the visitor if it is turned into a Georgian-themed railway inn.

“There are so many great stories attached to it that it should be a source of inspiration and education to the next generation, and it should be an object of pride to local people and the businesses around it that their forefathers were involved in something revolutionary that changed the world.

“This is a great way for people to get involved – even just signing our online petition, which will cost nothing but could be very important, will show the size of local support to potential funders.

“We have to do something: it would be such an embarrassment if, in 2025, this building of international importance still stands there rotting away.”

The building was one of three commissioned by the railway in 1826, before the modern concept of a ‘station’ had developed, as a place for passengers to wait and for goods to be dropped off. It remained in railway use until the 1970s when the station was reduced to an unmanned halt and it became derelict.

It was restored in 1984 and reopened as the Locomotion No 1 inn, but since its closure in 2017, it has been hit by vandalism and criminal damage. A number of attempts by local authorities to rescue it have failed, and so now the Friends, a group of volunteers, are stepping in.

The first phase of their campaign is to acquire it and stabilise it enough to prevent it lending an air of dereliction to the 2025 celebrations which, it is believed, will be of global interest. The Friends’ second, longer term, phase is to bring it back into economic and community use, perhaps as an 1825 pub or restaurant with accommodation.

Friends in the rain at the rear of the derelict Heighington station. From left: Chris Lloyd, Trevor and Margaret Fenwick, Caroline Hardie, Cllr David Sutton-Lloyd, Cllr Jim Atkinson (both representatives of Aycliffe on Durham County Council), and Friends chair, Niall Hammond, with rail enthusiasts Rolo and Cleo.  All pictures: Sarah Caldecott

“It is in a shocking state,” said Paul Howell, the Sedgefield MP. “When I worked nearby at Perstorp-Warerite in the late 1980s, that was our place for a drink at the end of the day and so it is sad to see it as it is.

“It is proper history, and it really should be in a condition to take part in the bicentenary celebrations, so the Friends have my full backing and support.”

All details are on the Friends’ website sdr1825.org.uk where there is a “Save Heighington station” tab. It will take you to the JustGiving page to make donations or to the form where you can sign the petition which will help persuade funding organisations to back the campaign. Any private or business sponsors feeling inspired and wanting more information can email chair@sdr1825.org.uk