New Saltash hoardings promote branch line destinations

Promotional hoardings highlighting Cornwall’s branch line destinations have gone up around Saltash station building as the latest step towards the building’s eagerly awaited revamp.

The 33-metre boards promote beauty spots including Calstock, Looe and St Ives as well as the redevelopment of the station building.

The building was bought by Saltash Town Council in 2017. Over the course of the coming year, the Council and partners aim to transform the derelict eyesore into a thriving asset for the station. Planned features include a waiting room, café and toilets.

There are two hoardings. One, promoting great places to go by train in Cornwall, was designed by the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership and funded by Cornwall Council and the Designated Community Rail Development Fund, which is backed by the Department for Transport and ACoRP, the Association of Community Rail Partnerships.

The other, designed by the Bailey Partnership, celebrates the restoration project itself. The hoardings have been co-ordinated by Saltash Town Council.

Councillor Geoff Brown, Cornwall Council portfolio holder for transport, said:

“We are delighted to support Saltash Town Council while work is underway to bring the redundant Brunel building back into use again. As passengers arrive at the first station after crossing Brunel’s iconic bridge, the hoardings provide a perfect opportunity to promote our fantastic branch lines – Liskeard to Looe; Par to Newquay; Truro to Falmouth and St Erth to St Ives.”

Saltash Town Councillor Richard Bickford (pictured right), who is leading the station building project, said:

“The new hoardings will be seen by thousands of passengers each day, providing a great advert for the county’s branch line destinations. It’s another step along the path to rejuvenating the station building and bringing it back into use for the first time in decades.”

Richard Burningham (pictured left), manager of the Devon & Cornwall Rail Partnership said:

“We are delighted to have helped provide these hoardings. They look great, both close up and from a train and we look forward to work starting in earnest to bring the station building back into use.”