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Skegness heritage under threat from railway station improvement plans
Wednesday, 10am - DERELICT buildings at Skegness railway station could be torn down early next year so Network Rail can build a radical new entrance at the Lumley Square station.
A Network Rail spokesperson told the Standard the company is working with Lincolnshire County Council, which is providing some funds.
She said: "The disused buildings are being demolished and the contents of them are being donated to the Railway Heritage Trust.
"A new station entrance is being built in its place."
The news is controversial in light of the fact Skegness Civic Society fought for years to take on some of the buildings so it could preserve them but it was financially unviable.
The spokesperson said: "The money is not there to bring these buildings up to standard. We have explored all possibilities."
She explained Government funds had to be spent on rail and safety improvements before buildings.
Civic society vice-chairman Nigel Chapman said: "They are looking so dilapidated now we foresaw this coming.
"We would regret seeing the buildings pulled down from a heritage point of view because there would not be a town here without the railway."
Skegness developed when the railway was built, and the Jolly Fisherman was created in 1908 to advertise the London link.
Mr Chapman said an informal agreement was made about three years ago that Lumley Lodge, the station master's house at the corner of Richmond Drive, would be spared - but Network Rail said it is not planning to save it.
Civic society member Coun John Byford said he believes residents should chain themselves to the lodge to protect it.
He said: "There's no doubt the station needs major refurbishment, but it's doing in a way that preserves some of the character that's there. It would be a sad day for Skegness if we lose (Lumley Lodge].
"We have lost so many iconic structures in the town, like the pier, we've lost so much of our character.
"Until I have seen the plans it is difficult to comment, but Skegness exists because of the railway and we mustn't forget that."
Coun Byford felt the building contents should be kept in Skegness.
* An LCC spokesperson was unavailable for comment.
* The plans will go through the planning process.
How would you feel about the buildings being demolished? How would you like to see the station develop? Email us!
For all your Skegness, Spilsby and Alford news, sport and what's on get the Skegness and Spilsby Standard - out every Wednesday!
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Weather for Skegness
Wednesday 23 May 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 15 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 18 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North east
