A busy station could see its name changed to help travellers find their way – if enough support can be gathered by a parish council.

Welwyn Parish Council is trying to raise support to change the name of Welwyn North Station to Digswell to stop passengers getting confused.

When the station was first built in 1850 it was named Welwyn because that was the nearest settlement.

But when Welwyn Garden City station opened in 1926, it was renamed Welwyn North – despite the fact Digswell village had sprung up around it.

The idea was first floated amongst councillors around a decade ago, but now the station, in Station Road, has been taken over by Govia Thameslink Railways the council has asked if it can change the

name.

Parish clerk Allan Witherick told the Welwyn Hatfield Times: “We have a lot of people coming to Welwyn North thinking –understandably – that it is Welwyn village, or even just the north of WGC.

“But it is not even in Welwyn, it is in Digswell.

“The train operator has said if we can find enough support then we will change it, so we are asking people to write to us and tell us if they want it changed.

“It won’t happen immediately, but it could be changed over time. It is in line with what the local community want, both to help people and because they take pride in the area, but also to provide clarity between Welwyn, WGC and Welwyn North.”

For more information contact Alan Witherick on 01438 716667 or write to Welwyn Parish Council, Parish Centre, Lockleys Drive, Welwyn, AL6 9NT or email clerk@welwynpc.org.uk

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