Built in the late 1870’s, the signal box on Station Road in Norton South has been an iconic symbol in the village and local residents. Repressing a strong heritage of workmanship in the area, the signal box represents a true component in the history of Norton Village. 

Delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic mean that a re-signalling project on Teesside due to be completed in September 2020, have slipped to early 2021.

Re-signalling a 4½-mile stretch of the Durham Coast Line from north of Stockton-on-Tees to Billingham has been deferred until February 2021, meaning another few months’ working life for the 1870-vintage box at Norton South.

Along with nearby Norton East, which is normally boarded up and switched out, this is the oldest working signal box on the national network, but only the East box currently enjoys Grade II listed status, ensuring its future preservation.

The re-signalling project will not only spell closure for this pair of signal boxes, but also for little-used Norton West Signal Box on the diversionary Stillington Line to Ferryhill, and two superb examples of North Eastern Railway signal box design, at Norton-on-Tees (1897) and Billingham (1904).

In raising awareness through this petition we aim to retain these iconic landmarks as part of the history of the local area and the North East.