UPDATE ON RAINHILL STATION
Your three councillors recently requested an urgent update on the station since work appeared to be progressing at a snail's pace. We have met with two representatives of Network Rail who gave a presentation on the work being carried out.All work is being carried out with agreement from St Helens Council Conservation Officer. The station is a Grade II listed building and all work needs to be sympathetic to the original structure.
Picture 1 (below) illustrates the poor condition of the steps approaching the platform. These will be replaced with new steps made from the same material as it replaces.
The following picture illustrates the poor condition of the retaining wall to the right of the steps. This is also badly bowed so will need to be rebuilt, new stones (where needed) will be cut to shape and blended into the wall.
The canopy and the roof will be carefully removed, timbers inspected for rot and will be replaced where necessary on a like for like basis. Roof will be re-covered using the original slates and also reclaimed slates if necessary.
Existing boxed gutterings and ornate medillions will be taken down and again inspected and replaced again on a like for like basis. All the cast iron columns and gallows brackets will be thoroughly cleaned and repainted. Timber soffits and facias again inspected and replaced where necessary.
Because of the complexity of the refurbishment (specially made replacements, etc) and the ongoing discussions regarding protecting the Grade II listing, work will start in early 2010 and should be completed within 4-6 months.
We have requested that Network Rail display "Improvement Plans" on the station platform so that passengers and rail enthusiasts will be up to speed on the works.
posted by Cllr. Steve Glover at
8:21 pm
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10:49 pm
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