Village gives �1,000 to station

VILLAGERS have agreed to contribute up to �1,000 towards a specialist survey to see if their Victorian railway station could be saved from the bulldozers.

Trimley Station has been earmarked for demolition because rail bosses say it is just too dangerous to leave standing.

Years of neglect, attacks by vandals, and a deterioration in its structure mean the building is too expensive to maintain and is no longer safe - and would cost �100,000 to repair.

There is hope though that the money for refurbishment could be raised as part of the massive multi-million pound regeneration of the Felixstowe area.

Trimley St Mary Parish Council chairman Bryan Frost said government officials would make a decision in the next few months over whether the station should be a listed building, which would protect it forever.

The property - which currently has temporary listed status via a preservation order - could be used for a small business, a wine bar or restaurant, or a community use such as an arts centre with a gallery and workshop.

“What we don't want to see is demolition without a proper investigation of all the possibilities with the site left a weed-strewn wilderness like the old Beach Station at Felixstowe,” said Mr Frost.

“Suffolk Coastal would like to see a full survey done to see how much work is needed and what it could be used for.

“If the surveyors get in there and find it's horrendous that would be the end of the story, but sometimes these things look worse than they are and it is vital we get specialists to have a look.”

The survey is likely to cost around �2,400 and the parish council has agreed to give up to �1,000.

The station, built in 1891, is the only surviving country station from the old Great Eastern Railway. It is older than grade two listed Felixstowe Town Station.

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