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Sheffield: 120-year-old signal box to be demolished in rail upgrade

BBC Anthony Siddall is operations manager for Network RailBBC
Network Rail operations manager Anthony Siddall began his career at the signal box

A 120-year-old signal box is being demolished as part of a £23 million rail line upgrade.

Network Rail said the work, between Sheffield and Shireoaks, would improve the track and upgrade the signalling system.

The company said there was no cost benefit to retaining the redundant signal box at Beighton.

The work on the line is expected to take nine days and is due to be completed by 21 March.

A spokesperson for Network Rail said it was aware signal boxes were often regarded with affection, but the old box-based system for controlling trains was being relocated to a centre in York.

"Although they are well-recognised in the community, the cost of keeping these buildings without an operational purpose is significant," they added.

Beighton signal box
The work signal boxes across the country once did is being transferred to a single control centre in York

Anthony Siddall, operations manager for Network Rail, began his career at Beighton and said it was sad to see it go.

"It was very well-loved by the community, plenty of people would walk pass and wave," he said.

Northern Rail services between Sheffield, Worksop, Retford and Lincoln will be replaced by buses during the work.

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