Events mark station centenary

A series of events are taking place to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the opening of Hertford North railway station.

Activities suitable for all ages with a focus on art and active travel are taking place between Saturday 25th May and Sunday 2nd June. 

Hertford Museum will play host to a special exhibition celebrating the centenary of Hertford North, with opportunities to discover how the station was built, used and modernised, as well as learning about the trains and people that have passed through it. The museum is also holding a competition to design a "Hertford by train" travel poster, with a family travel ticket up for grabs for the winner.

Residents and visitors to Hertford will also be able to see art created by the winners of a community art competition hanging in the A414 subway between St Andrew Street and Aldi themed around the stations 100th anniversary and train travel.

Members of Hertfordshire County Council’s Safer and Active Travel Team will have a Transport for Hertfordshire stall at the 'Cars at the Castle' event on Sunday 2 June, promoting active travel and greener transport alternatives with activities for budding cyclists. Also on Sunday 2 June, Former County Councillor Peter Ruffles MBE and local historian David Dent will be leading guided walks from the station to the museum, sharing facts about the station and other local landmarks on the way.

Phil Bibby, Executive Member for Highways and Transport at Hertfordshire County Council said: "The 100th anniversary of Hertford North is a fantastic opportunity to celebrate rail travel as well as other active and sustainable ways to travel including walking, cycling and buses. We have curated a series of fun events in partnership with local organisations to help encourage conversations about the way we travel."

Mayor of Hertford Cllr Rachel Carter said: "The station plays an essential role in the life of our county town, as a gateway for visitors and residents travelling in and out. I’m really pleased that so many organisations are coming together to stage events to celebrate the station’s centenary. It’s a great chance for everyone involved to explore Hertford and engage with our local history as part of the celebrations".

Hertford North station was opened in 1924 following the completion of the loop off the Great Northen line from Alexandra Palace to Stevenage. Along with the station came Beane Road and the development of housing nearby. Diesel trains operated until the line was electrified in 1976. The entrance to the station was opened in 1990, including access for the disabled. The service currently runs south into London's Moorgate and Kings Cross Stations; and North to Stevenage.

The centenary comes as constituency MP Julie Marson and Hertford Civic Society have asked Network Rail to expedite the installation of a lift to Platform One.

Posting on social media, Mrs.Marson said: "Disappointed to share that work on the installation of the new lift has now been pushed back to as late as January 2025, despite the needs of my constituents who use the station. I’'ve raised concerns with Network Rail and I will be writing to request this plan is accelerated to be completed sooner, as originally planned. Accessibility should be a priority."

Chair of Hertford Civic Society Jan Goodeve has also written to Network Rail and Great Northern Rail, saying: "The lack of such step free access means that it is effectively impossible some people to use the train service and difficult for many more. This primarily affects train travel to London but is also a problem for travellers arriving from Stevenage and beyond. Disabled and older people are particularly affected but it is a problem for those with children in prams and pushchairs as well as  anyone with luggage which is increasingly the case given there are better connections to both Gatwick and Heathrow."

Updated 29/5/24 with some historical date corrections provided by rail historian David Dent.