AN OLD well has been discovered at Frodsham’s former station master’s house, where contractors are working on a £400,000 restoration project to breathe new life into the historic railway building.
The well, complete with original pumping gear, was found in the walled courtyard buried beneath old railway sleepers under a raised area of soil being excavated to lay new paving.
It’s believed the brick structure supplied water to the station house which opened in December 1850.
Keith Lumley, spokesman for property owner, Network Rail, said: “We have spoken with the conservation officer and archaeologist at Cheshire West and Chester Council and shown them photographs, and they are happy for us to plate over the well allowing for an access hatch for potential future use. They have added the location of the well to their historical records.”
The decaying station house had been boarded up for more than 30 years when Network Rail began restoration work two months ago.
Residents and town leaders welcomed the long-awaited project to preserve the Victorian Grade II listed building which is expected to be completed in May.
Network Rail is currently marketing the building and suggests it would be suitable for a restaurant/bar, artists studios/workshops “or some form of community use.”
