Published Date:
16 July 2003
THERE'S some positive news about the town's railway station, as the Mail learns the entire building is now about to come under one ownership.
The new owner, a self-confessed 'train nut' who prefers to remain anonymous at this stage, has told the Mail he intends to construct office units with a central reception in the former station offices.
The stationmaster's house will become his own private house.
Work could start within the next few weeks, subject to the stone required being ready.
With the station buildings occupied by day and night, there can now be no excuse for anyone to absolve themselves from their responsibilities in making improvements at the station.
Assistant Head of Transport Services at Lincolnshire County Council, Anita Ruffle, said there needed to be a joint exercise to push forward improvements at the station, but said the site was 'crying out for 24 hour CCTV coverage,' which might be possible now cameras were to be installed in the town centre
"I would be more than happy to sit on a forum to come up with some solutions," she said. "We want Market Rasen Railway Station to be an attractive place for people to use."
Russell Wallis, Head of Economic Development at West Lindsey, said he hoped the planned improvements to the station buildings would provide a platform to improve the railway station itself.
Highlighting restrictions on investing public funds in a private company (Central Trains), he said if CCTV could be installed and the buildings renovated and used 24 hours a day, it might be possible to persuade Central Trains to improve the platforms and waiting areas.
He said the planned supermarket development in Linwood Road included a pedestrian access from the transport hub on that site under the railway bridge in Chapel Street and up the railway station forecourt.
A spokeswoman for Central Trains said a Buildings Manager was visiting the site this week and was aware the waiting rooms needed to be replaced.
She said she was hopeful work could be done once the buildings were occupied 24 hours a day particularly if CCTV could be installed.
There's some hope then for the railway station - maybe, just maybe, in a year or two we will have a facility to be proud of.
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Last Updated:
16 July 2003 10:01 AM
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Source:
n/a
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Location:
Market Rasen