A major project to upgrade the large expanses of glazing at both ends of Stoke-on-Trent station will start this Christmas.

As part of a multi-million-pound investment, Network Rail will replace the glazed walls known as 'gable ends', which span 25-metres over the tracks on the North and South sides of the Victorian-built train shed.

Exposed to the elements for decades, over time the grade II listed wooden and wrought iron frames which are designed hold more than 200 glass panels, have started to deteriorate, leading to some of the glazing being removed in recent times.

Now, after many months of planning and consultation with heritage experts and consent from Stoke-on-Trent city council, work will start to fully replace the gable ends during the annual festive shutdown of the West Coast main line.

With no trains running on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, the 25,000-volt overhead electric lines which power trains will be turned off, so scaffolding specialists can start covering both gable ends with a temporary work platform above the tracks.

This scaffolding is crucial as it will give the project team aerial access throughout 2024 to carry out the essential upgrades, while allowing freight and passenger trains to keep running as normal beneath the workers.

Completing this complex project while causing the least disruption possible to trains, on one of the busiest mixed-used passenger and freight rail routes in Europe, has been a major priority.

For that reason, both gable ends will being overhauled in one go, in a "once in a generation" opportunity to get them looking as good as new.

The work throughout 2024 will see:

• The timber frames replaced with Accoya wood, a specially treated timber which has a longer life-span that traditional softwood
• All 220 panes of glass replaced
• Cleaning, repairs and repainting of the wrought iron support frames of both gable ends
• Repositioning the overhead line supports which power trains to allow for the work to take place

The modern materials used have been agreed with the council and will match the look of the original Victorian features, but will be much more durable and last for decades with minimal maintenance needed.

The timber will be painted in heritage colours to match the rest of the station, with the work expected to be complete by autumn 2024.

Stoke station South gable end (image via Network Rail)

Andrew Magee, Network Rail principal route engineer, said: "Stoke-on-Trent station is a beautiful example of Victorian railway architecture, so we've been working really hard to achieve a balance between maintaining the original visual appearance of the building whilst incorporating modern materials and construction techniques.

"This will ensure the new glazed gables remain functional and in top condition for years to come. The original wooden-framed gables have been battered by the elements for many years, so now need a 21st century solution to keep them protected.

"We worked closely with Stoke-on-Trent City Council's conservation teams to make sure our upgrade strikes that right balance.

"We'll now get cracking with the renovations, and I'd like to thank passengers in advance for their patience while the scaffolding goes up over the coming months and we're working above the trains to get the gable ends looking as good as new."

Additional work in the New Year will also see the continuation of repairs to the historic stonework across the station building.