Heighington railway station added to Heritage At Risk Register

Heighington Station lies in a derelict state beside the original Stockton and Darlington Railway line. Earlier this year, the Friends of the Stockton and Darlington Railway launched a campaign to save the station.

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 next year.

Historic England has revealed its Heritage at Risk Register 2024, which shows that Heighington station is one of six sites in the North East added to the register this year.

The register gives an annual snapshot of the health of England’s valued historic buildings and places. It helps to ensure they can be protected and continue to be enjoyed in the future.

Dating from 1826, Heighington Railway Station was originally designed as a public house.

In 1984, the building became a pub but closed in 2017, since when it has remained empty, and is now derelict (Image: HISTORIC ENGLAND)

With a direct relationship to the rail line, it fulfilled the main functions of what later came to be recognised as a railway station - a stopping point for trains, a building providing shelter for passengers, and a receiving point for parcels and goods being transported by rail.

There is significant evidence for several people using the station to commute to work from before 1830, and it was here that the Locomotion No.1 pioneering steam locomotive was first placed on the railway.

In 1984, the building became a pub - named the Locomotion No 1 inn - but closed in 2017 and has remained empty ever since, becoming derelict. 

It has been hit by vandalism and criminal damage and a number of attempts by local authorities to rescue it have failed, which prompted the Friends, a group of volunteers, to step in.

All details of the campaign to save the station can be found 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

Heritage Minister Sir Chris Bryant said: “The UK has an abundance of heritage sites across the country that attract tourists and provide jobs in local communities.

"Many of these are in desperate need of support.

“The Heritage at Risk Register plays a vital role in our ongoing mission to protect and preserve our rich heritage across the country."