Fresh calls to save threatened station
FELIXSTOWE: A village station which could be demolished in three months' time has been named as one of the ten most endangered Victorian and Edwardian buildings in the country.
FELIXSTOWE: A village station which could be demolished in three months' time has been named as one of the ten most endangered Victorian and Edwardian buildings in the country.
The Victorian Society is calling for Trimley railway station to be protected and a new use found for it as soon as possible.
Campaigners have been told by Network Rail the building is too dangerous to leave standing, would cost �100,000 to repair, and they must come up with a refurbishment plan by the end of the year or it will be bulldozed and replaced by a four-foot picket fence.
“Demolishing Trimley station would be a senseless waste of an attractive country station,” said Dr Ian Dungavell, director of the Victorian Society.
“It has a part to play in the history of the Great Eastern Railway and must be preserved.”
Campaigners insist a new use can be found for the station, built in 1891, perhaps as a caf�, small business, wine bar or restaurant, or a community use such as an arts centre with a gallery and workshop.
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Dr Dungavell said, like Trimley station, most of the buildings in the top ten have suffered from years of neglect.
“We have been amazed at the response from the public. People clearly feel very strongly about beautiful, robust buildings being left to decay,” he said.
“Many of the buildings in our top ten have been empty for more than a decade and are in a very poor state.
“Even in the current economic climate money must be found to weather-proof buildings such as these and protect them from vandals.
“Future generations won't forgive us for leaving parts of our heritage to deteriorate beyond repair.”
What should be done with Trimley Station? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail EveningStarLetters@eveningstar.co.uk
