A PAIR of information boards have been put in place at Prestatyn railway station, informing visitors about its 174-year history.

This project, led by the award-winning Friends of Prestatyn Railway Station group, had been planned for more than six months.

This year, the group received a grant from the Welsh Church Act Fund, administered by Denbighshire Voluntary Services Council (DVSC), to fund the two information boards, which are written in English and Welsh and are situated on the exterior walls of the station’s booking office.

On March 15, Rhys Hughes, DVSC’s enterprise and funding officer came to view the new signs and meet members of Friends of Prestatyn Railway Station.

There, he met chairman Ian Lifford, secretary Sherry Edwards, treasurer Moire Turner, and committee members Richard Wilcock and Dave Turner.

Prestatyn is also an official “Walkers are Welcome” town, and signage has been erected, as well as Simon O’Rourke’s sculpture of a walker on the station’s disused platform to further advertise the town as a centre for walkers.

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Rhys Hughes said: “DVSC were glad to help Friends of Prestatyn Railway Station purchase the new information boards at the station through our Welsh Church Act Grant.

“Although a relatively small grant, this has been a very beneficial one for smaller groups who are doing fantastic work in the community.

“The boards will provide a small piece of local history to visitors when they first step off the train and will support tourism in the area by encouraging the fact that Prestatyn is a ‘Walkers are Welcome’ town.”

Ian Lifford, added: “Next year, we will be celebrating the 175th anniversary of Prestatyn railway station, and we are most grateful to the Welsh Church Act Fund who have sponsored the new information signs, which further advertise Prestatyn as a centre for walking.

“I should also like to thank Network Rail and Transport for Wales for their continuing help and support for our work at the station.

“This year, the floral displays at the station will feature red, white and blue flowers as we celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Golden Jubilee.

Cllr Gareth Sandilands, vice chairman of Friends of Prestatyn Railway Station, said: “As a member of the local business forum, I welcome this initiative and the work of the volunteers at the station as they promote our town to walkers.

“Prestatyn is the start/end of Offa's Dyke Path, and the All Wales Coast Path takes walkers along our sea-front.

“Walking tourism is becoming increasingly popular and extends the town's tourism offer outside the summer months.”

Malcolm Wilkinson, of Walkers are Welcome (Prestatyn), added: “We fully support the siting of notice boards at Prestatyn Railway Station.

“These information boards will be seen by rail users reminding them to look out for Rhodri the Rambler on the disused platform.

“We believe this is yet another fine example of partnership working and congratulate Friends of Prestatyn Railway Station, Network Rail and all the other partners on their achievements in promoting and enhancing passengers’ experience on the railway station.”

Prestatyn Railway Station opened on May 1, 1848, when the line from Chester to Bangor was opened by the Chester and Holyhead Railway company.

Initially, there were four trains in each direction each day; it is now estimated that 22million rail passengers travel along the North Wales line each year.

Friends of Prestatyn Railway Station regard the station as the town’s shop window and work throughout the year to ensure it looks its best, and hope their efforts will encourage more people to visit the town and boost its economy.

Meanwhile, plans are also in place for a mural to decorate the station, on the bridge underpass of the disused platform.

The mural, to be designed by Prestatyn-born graffiti artist Andy Birch ("Dime One"), will depict Prestatyn’s Roman heritage and its popularity with walkers and beachgoers.

It is hoped to be completed later in 2022.