Sandford Station part of Somerset's historic 'Strawberry Line' connecting Yatton and Shepton Mallet, is undergoing a major restoration, returning it to its former glory and securing a rare piece of railway heritage for local enthusiasts and visitors. The ticket office and platform which closed in 1963, will re-open this year as part of the St Monica Trust development, looking exactly as it would have in the 1950's, with traditional GWR paintwork in cream and chocolate brown colours. Many of the earlier features such as the former Victorian lamp columns believed to have disappeared from the platform during World War II, will also be reinstated.

Plans are for a visitor display and proposals are going forward for a new charitable group to be established to take over management of the former Bristol and Exeter Railway building, to provide a permanent Heritage Centre.

A spokesman from the Cheddar Valley Railway Walk Society, one of the local organisations helping to deliver the project says, The restored buildings will be a wonderful amenity, accessible to the many cyclists and walkers who enjoy the former railway line, now a permanent cycle track. We are absolutely delighted that the St Monica Trust has been so enthusiastic in supporting this whole initiative and is committed to making this unique site absolutely authentic.