Re-Issued – 6th June 2017 Padgate Station (FoPS) Update Report
- By Paul Adams
- June 6, 2017
- Comments Off on Re-Issued – 6th June 2017 Padgate Station (FoPS) Update Report
A section of Bob’s report was missed off this post so it has been re-issued with the additional information.
Here is the latest update report from Bob McLaughlin, Chairman of the Friends of Padgate Station – sounds like admirable progress is being made and the plans for the station are really interesting and something to look forward to:-
“Padgate Station Update 6th June 2017
We have reached an agreement between FOPS, Christ Church School & a local ceramic artist, Deborah Podmore based at Fairfield School, for a permanent mosaic piece of artwork on the side wall of the main station building, it will depict a steam train , the RAF logo and the school.
We are now looking for funding for the project, the artist has dramatically reduced her fee, LRA will contribute and we are hoping the school will hold a raffle and sponsorship from each participant for perhaps £1 -£2, for their unique handmade tile, to make up the frame of the artwork.
Work on this has already started by the artist; the estimated cost will be circa £2,000.
The artwork for the station windows is all in hand after a delay with the artist moving studios.
We will be installing two large planters on the station, kindly donated by Greencore.
We have five possible local tenants for the station when refurbished.
Planning permission has been given for the construction of houses and flats on the southern side of the station where Millmans coaches have been.
Along with 50 + other personnel from numerous stations around the North of England, I attended a full day seminar in Manchester with ACoRP (Association of Community Rail Partnerships) on Monday 5th June at Transport for Greater Manchester, covering all things to do with the station
I met up initially with our main contact Vikki Cropper for an update on the station with the following confirmed:- that (Carillion) will be felling the trees surrounding the car park on the north side of the station.
There will be a survey carried out by the property department of Northern Rail to plan all the upgrade work required on the station building in order for it to be brought up to tenant standard. Again Vikki has told me not to hold our breath, but it will definitely go ahead.
The loudspeakers on the station will be improved so that you can actually hear them
Ticket machines will be installed
CCTV will be installed
A new shelter will be erected on the south platform after the existing derelict one has been demolished and removed.
It will be confirmed in the near future that any volunteers working on station property will be covered by railway insurance, provided they are following guidelines and proper practise.
Other people met:-
Mathew Hay – Transport for Greater Manchester
Jools Townsend – Chief exec ACoRP
Roy Greenhalgh – Network rail –with responsibility for the station adopters & “Friends of “groups & station buildings
Martin Yallop – responsible for stations & buildings on behalf of Acorp.
All positive but subject to the railways timescales !”
Bob McLaughlin