Box on the Bay
Repurposing Hest Bank signal box into a STEM classroom on the shore of Morecambe Bay
It is very rare for Network Rail to come along and say that they have an unused former signal box and would like to repurpose it for community use. However, that is what happened to the Leeds-Morecambe CRP in the autumn of 2023.
They were looking to put the upper floor of the box at Hest Bank back into use rather than remove it. The lower floor was to remain, as it contains all the switch gear and relays for the neighbouring level crossing.
Over the next few months the CRP prepared a formal paper on its proposal for the upper box to be turned into a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Education Centre for the benefit of children within the Lancaster-Morecambe-Heysham-Carnforth area.
Those of you who know the Bentham Line well will be aware that the box is sited in a unique position at the south-east corner of Morecambe Bay with the Shoreline just 30 metres away and adjacent to the very busy West Coast Main Line, with great views all around.
You can download our leaflet with more information about the Box on the Bay here.
A curriculum shaped by the railway and the bay
There are over 60 schools within a 5-mile radius of the box, with 50 of them being primary schools, and far more schools and other groups within reach of the venue.
The curriculum for the ‘Box on the Bay’ will be tailored to relate to the railway and the Bay, and groups will be able to chose the topics for their day at the box from a wide selection including; rail safety and history, railway time and timetables, bridges and viaducts, as well as topics related to the ornithology, meteorology and ecology of the Bay.
Dear Brian,
Thank you so much for your kind email and for the wonderful opportunity to visit Hest Bank Signal Box. We are incredibly grateful for the warm hospitality shown to both the children and staff throughout the event.
The children thoroughly enjoyed the experience and gained so much from it. We are delighted that they represented the school so well and engaged so positively with the activities.
We would love to continue working in partnership with you over the coming years. I will certainly be looking at bringing more children to the Box on the Bay and exploring further opportunities for collaboration.
Thank you again for your support and for making the visit such a memorable experience.
Best wishes,
Alison Dodd
Headteacher
St. Peter’s CE Primary School, Heysham
Network Rail’s contribution
The ideas met with approval at Network Rail Headquarters in Manchester and a plan of action developed. Network Rail would clear the box of the rubbish and undertake basic internal painting, provide a row of kitchen units with a sink and water heater. The washroom area was to receive a new toilet and wash basin, whilst outside new safety fencing would be installed. Much of this work was undertaken by Network Rail volunteers, as part of their community work.
Building the funding pot
In summer 2025, the CRP embarked on creating a funding pot for their parts of the repurposing.
Grant applications were made to the three main passenger service operators on that part of the West Coast Main Line, namely Avanti West Coast, TransPennine Trains and Northern Trains, for community rail project funding. The LMCRP was successful in obtaining £4,000 from each of the three operators, creating a funding pot of £12,000.
This pot covered major new furnishings for the box, such as LED lighting, modern electric heaters, new blinds, new carpeting and vinyl flooring. The pot was also used to provide computing facilities, electronic tablets, binoculars and everyday items for the box. Equipment purchasing began in summer 2025.
Careful purchasing and local contracting gave extra value of £2,000 to the funding pot. Donations of equipment brought a further £2,500 of value. A large monitor was donated by Avanti, and Network Rail have given a spot-the-dangers railway diorama. The CRP was able to provide tables and chairs for the box, which had been in store at Bentham station and originally came from the old primary school.
Fitting out the box
Having been given the keys to the box in January this year, the CRP got underway with the preparations and installations. A determined effort, saw the box set out for its new community role.
Mains water was restored this spring, bringing us a big step nearer to completion, much to everyone’s relief.
With the box left abandoned for so long, the new works have intrigued the many locals and visitors who come to walk along the shore and exercise their canine friends. They are delighted to see it brought back into use, as are the members of Slyne-with-Hest Parish Council.
A milestone in our 20th anniversary year
The CRP is pleased to have been able to have come together with Network Rail and the three train operators with this project in its 20th anniversary year.
