Building work was carried out between July 2024 and May 2025

Work to restore Oswestry's Cambrian Railway building has been recognised with a national award.

The work on the building, headed by Shropshire Council, was done between July 2024 and May 2025. Improvements included fixing the building's exterior, removing asbestos tiles, painting and installing nest boxes for swifts in the eaves and bat roosting tiles along the roof.

The project won the BAM Nuttall Partnership Award at the National Railway Heritage Awards on Wednesday. The works were funded by the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and Shropshire Council, with the work carried out by local building conservation specialists Phillips and Curry Ltd.

The building, which is Grade II listed, opened in 1866, and has multiple uses since it ceased operating as a railway station in 1966, Shropshire Council said. It served as the local railway station and the Cambrian Railway headquarters, key in connecting Oswestry and north Wales.

The authority took possession of the building in 2023 after years of neglect, and storm damage the year prior. Now, the building is let to local railway charity Cambrian Heritage Railways.

"This building holds significant cultural value for our community, and these essential repairs will ensure it remains safe and usable for future generations," said Roger Evans, cabinet member for finance.

"Shropshire Council took possession of this historic building, to help secure a viable long term use for it. We're committed to maintaining the heritage and integrity of this important site and we look forward to finding a suitable use for it so that it can continue to serve the community for many years to come."