Stevenage station celebrates half-century

Cllr Myla Arceno, Mayor of Stevenage, unveiled a steel commemorative plaque to be installed on the footbridge between the town centre and the booking hall. The Mayor then completed the official proceedings by slicing and sharing the celebration strawberry jam sponge. The cake was decorated with the British Rail logo from the decade the station was built.

The Major was joined by fellow Borough councillors, and representatives from Hertfordshire County Council, Network Rail, LNER and Govia Thameslink Railway, who operate Great Northern and Thameslink trains. Guests included Cllr Lloyd Briscoe, who had attended the station’s official opening on 26 September 1973.

Stevenage station was originally opened 50 years ago, almost to the day, by the late Baroness Williams, the MP for Stevenage in 1973. The original station was 1,500 metres to the north of the current station.”

Another memory of the opening year was brought by Herts County Council’s Strategic Transport Team Leader Trevor Mason, in the shape of two 50-year-old platform tickets.

Angie Palmer, Head of Stations for Great Northern and Thameslink, said: "It was a truly lovely event, and it was great to celebrate with both my team and members of the local community, some who have been involved and supported the many improvements that have been made here over the years. I'd like to pay special tribute to the team at Stevenage because they really do take pride in their station, and that makes all the difference. I also thank Cllr Myla Arceno, Mayor of Stevenage for doing the honours of unveiling the plaque to commemorate this very special anniversary.”

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