Albrighton Station Refurbishment
Minutes of Meeting
NOTES
OF MEETING IN
RE
ALBRIGHTON RAILWAY STATION
Attended
-
Peter
Illes - representing Albrighton Parish Council;
Peter
Woodman & Rod Smith - representing Albrighton & District Civic Society
Jed
Burgess - Partnership Manager - LMR
David
Koring - Rail Policy Officer - Shropshire Council
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Apologies:
Dave Harris - LMR and David Beechey - APC
1.
AC gave a presentation of the £1m+ refurbishment proposals and “ballpark”
costs now being developed relating to the road bridge (£220k) footbridge
(£370k) and platforms (£450k) programmed for 2012/3.-contained within year
2/3 of the 5 year control period. All work would be undertaken concurrently
and estimated to require around 4 months on site-preferably outside of
the winter months using one contractor and expected to be in the summer
of 2012. A design and construction contract was currently being worked on which would
be issued for tender to contractors. As these were listed structures -
liaison with the SC Conservation Officer-Sarah Lowe- would be necessary
and the views expressed regarded the colour scheme to apply on the road
bridge and footbridge would be taken account of.
In
answer to the question re the scope to bring forward this Scheme, AC stated
he did not have authority to do so and suggested an approach be made to
the Zone Director, J Kaye, at the Mailbox in
2.
So far as the Station Buildings on the platform were concerned, it was
confirmed that that on the “UP” (to Wolverhampton) platform remained the
property of NR. Some defoliating had been done but more work would be necessary
if the building was to be used. If a community use could be found grants
could be secured from the Association of Community Rail Partnerships ACORP) and Railway Heritage Trust. ACORP charge a fee to make a visit.
ACTION: PW would speak to Maddox who own the adjacent site to see if access to the UP side buildings could be made via their car park.
So far as the main station building
was concerned, this was not owned by NR and it was the responsibility of
the owner to ensure it was maintained in a proper way. Whilst the problem
was legally now with NR, RS said that there were many in Albrighton who felt
that NR had sold off the building and left the village with a problem. The
covenants would be revisited but thought to be limited to a conservation
requirement on the ex GW designed platform canopy. If reported problems remained
un-addressed an improvement order could be sought via Sarah Lowe. The suggestion
of NR buying back the building with support from SC was not seen as being
feasible due to company/SC policy and funding available. The only other option
was to seek to find another potential buyer and offer to buy it from the
current owner who presumably wished to sell it as it was recently auctioned
but did not reach the reserve price. Interest by a Housing Association would
likely be minimal due to the parking limitations.
AC said the platforms were likely
to be refurbished with concrete slabs as at Stafford Station. The east section
of the UP (to Wolverhampton) platform was full of weeds but NR said they
did not intend to clear these as this section is fenced off and not used
and only platforms in use stay weed free.
3. The Civic Society noted that SC
were examining and consulting with a view to having more houses and industry
in Albrighton and changing its status from village to small market town.
The Civic Society had been formed a year ago to try to ensure a sound future
for Albrighton and that the appearance and commercial success of the Station
was a key issue in Albrighton. As well as more houses to be built in Albrighton
there were many new houses already coming to completion in nearby Burnhill
Green. Lack of parking at the station was a problem which will get worse.
The PC’s efforts to lease the “old
wood yard”, at the south side of the access ramp, had been unsuccessful due
to the costs being requested by the current owner which would be difficult
to justify to rate payers. Looking long term, the views of the Planning Officer
should be sought regarding compulsory purchase aligned to the County’s Transport
Plan but this may be difficult to achieve as the land had had a lapsed planning
application granted for houses which would impact on the value. Also significant
funds - £2.2m - had already been allocated to modernise Cosford which had extensive free parking involving new platforms and making the site DDA compliant
- due for completion by 2012.
The
Civic Society had taken a new look and in view of the stalemate at south
side felt that the triangle of land to the north of the access ramp,
owned by NR and currently the earth slope between the Station access
ramp and
LMR would contribute to such a scheme
but would probably need to introduce parking charges in which case the cost
per space would be a relevant factor. SC said they may possibly contribute
but the sum was likely be only approx £30K.
A
Section 106 Grant may be securable associated with the housing development
at
In reply to the query regarding the
covenants applying - that relating to the ownership of the caravan park provided for extensive access rights which would not make it possible to mark
out parking spaces and could compromise the suggestion made for formal/extended
parking on the triangle of land adjacent to Station Rd.
PW/RS requested sight/copy of these
covenants.
ACTION:
AC would make these available.
The next logical step would be a feasibility
study and they would - as would SCC - contribute to this (likely to be circa
£2/3K).
ACTION: Civic
Society to review this proposal further.
4. The request for litter bins would be considered and the area of concern highlighted around the cycle shed had -that week - been highlighted during a cleaning audit which had reported a general improvement in cleanliness at the station.
ACTION:
LMR
AC said that if litter was to be cleared
it was best to telephone directly to 0121 411411 (tbc) who would act quickly.
5.
The Civic Society had got press coverage over the work needed at the station and
it was confirmed that the local MP (Mark Pritchard) - who had supported
the Civic Society campaign - had been re-elected. It was suggested that any PR liaison be with Keith Lumbley at NR’s Press Office who had dealt
with issues previously.
6. JB reported that a jointly funded
scheme to provide train running information via screens and a long line PA
system as well as a new “Help Point”- valued at £62k had recently been authorised
and work was expected to start during this summer..
TBA
by PI in the autumn
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