A FORMER Valleys railway station may be given a new lease of life, as the Dean Forest Railway (DFR) bid to buy it and move it to the Forest.

Griffithstown station was opened in 1879, and could move to the Forest if the DFR can raise £20,000.

Members of the DFR declared their interest, highlighting that the building would be perfectly suited to the future northward extension of their railway line.

The Griffithstown building would become the station destination on the line extension that is planned to run north from Parkend, to Speech House Road. This would extend the DFR line by almost three miles.

In an appeal for funds to help with the project, the DFR said: “The estimated cost of demolition and transporting the building into storage is approximately £20,000, and we are appealing to railway enthusiasts and local people/businesses for donations in support of this project. A project designed to save this building for its intended use – an operating station serving local people.

“We have been involved in early stage discussions with our landlord (the Forestry Commission) about possible sites for the station’s eventual rebuilding and these have proved very positive.

“A GWR building is appropriate for the setting and, aesthetically, it will merge into the forest surroundings beautifully. In addition, in relocating the station to the Forest of Dean, we will be locating the building in a place with a similar industrial history to that of Griffithstown.

“The only remaining hurdle for us is to raise the funding needed to take the building down, label it and transport it the short distance to Gloucestershire. We would be extremely grateful for all donations, whether large or small – and any offer of help in rebuilding this valuable addition to the railway.”

The DFR have some experience in acquiring buildings and moving them, having done this with a redundant signal box from Staffordshire.

Details of how to donate to the project can be found on the Dean Forest Railway Facebook page.