Northwich Station Roof Collapse - 18/05/2021

[Howardh]

Northern have recently closed the temporary booking office at Northwich station, apparently at the request of Network Rail so they can clear the site for rebuilding to start. I was surprised to hear this because I'd have expected work not to start until planning approval is given.

I was at the station yesterday aftnoon and the ticket office was open, but no other facilities, even temporary ones as far as I could see. Never saw the station in all it's glory, hope it can all be restored!

 

[Jack Hay]

I was at the station yesterday aftnoon and the ticket office was open, but no other facilities, even temporary ones as far as I could see. Never saw the station in all it's glory, hope it can all be restored!

Yes, apparently NR asked Northern to close the booking office so that rebuilding could start, forgetting that they hadn't got planning permission yet, so the office has now reopened until rebuilding can start.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Yes, apparently NR asked Northern to close the booking office so that rebuilding could start, forgetting that they hadn't got planning permission yet, so the office has now reopened until rebuilding can start.

This does not say much for the internal communications within Network Rail, as planning permission is not a minor matter and we are not talking of a long period of time since the structural collapse occurred.

 

[yorksrob]

A minor project setback by the sounds of it. Nothing to worry about really.

 

[LOL The Irony]

We already went over this in the previous thread. If Northern weren't being told about the progress of the planning, Cheshire West were just an email or phone call away.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

We already went over this in the previous thread. If Northern weren't being told about the progress of the planning, Cheshire West were just an email or phone call away.

Was the responsibility for dealing with such matters with Network Rail or with Northern?

 

[LOL The Irony]

Was the responsibility for dealing with such matters with Network Rail or with Northern?

Regardless of who was dealing with it, if Northern were in doubt over information not being forthcoming, the council were easily contactable. Also, the approval of planning would've made the local news, so Northern don't exactly have an excuse.

That however, doesn't mean that Network Rail get off the hook, if it was indeed their job.

 

[pharrc20]

Some progress might be starting as this notice has been posted on the station fencing and surrounding posts in the car park for work starting on Monday 30th lasting until 3rd June. The RingGo car parking machines have been taken out as well and placed on the ground too behind the public bin, though they have been out of use for some time and users directed to use the app to pay for parking instead. I will keep an eye out on what will be happening.
Cheers Paul

 

[yorksrob]

Some progress might be starting as this notice has been posted on the station fencing and surrounding posts in the car park for work starting on Monday 30th lasting until 3rd June. The RingGo car parking machines have been taken out as well and placed on the ground too behind the public bin, though they have been out of use for some time and users directed to use the app to pay for parking instead. I will keep an eye out on what will be happening.
Cheers Paul

Thanks for the update. Fingers crossed for a sympathetic restoration

 

[pharrc20]

Thanks for the update. Fingers crossed for a sympathetic restoration

Yep, it is supposed to of similar style and same coloured brickwork as the original according to what was submitted on the planning application.

 

[yorksrob]

Yep, it is supposed to of similar style and same coloured brickwork as the original according to what was submitted on the planning application.

Splendid - and they can hopefully incorporate the rescued keystone as well !

I have a definite soft spot for the mid-Cheshire line

 

[pharrc20]

Splendid - and they can hopefully incorporate the rescued keystone as well !

I have a definite soft spot for the mid-Cheshire line

Yes that is still there on the pallet behind the fencing. Let's hope they don't forget to put it back in or incorporate it into the build somewhere

 

[yorksrob]

Yes that is still there on the pallet behind the fencing. Let's hope they don't forget to put it back in or incorporate it into the build somewhere

Indeed

 

[8A Rail]

Does the new work include the restoration of the collapsed canopy too? I understand that Network Rail do / did not want to include it but there were objections from other bodies. Has this been resolved then?

 

[pharrc20]

Does the new work include the restoration of the collapsed canopy too? I understand that Network Rail do / did not want to include it but there were objections from other bodies. Has this been resolved then?

Not sure on that one. Having looked at the planning application again, some revised drawing documents were submitted in November and on two of the illustrations the canopy is shown as it is now, cut back and not restored the full length towards the footbridge.

 

[yorksrob]

That would be a shame if the full canopy isn't restored.

In these days of reduced staffing hours, the platform canopy is often the most important part of the station !

 

[LOL The Irony]

It's good that work is finally starting on the rebuild. Can't come soon enough.

 

[pharrc20]

That would be a shame if the full canopy isn't restored.

In these days of reduced staffing hours, the platform canopy is often the most important part of the station !

Yep it would be a shame if not fully restored even to just get the ticket machines under cover lol. The station booking office only opens until 1pm though officially it is quarter past one on weekdays and 2.15 on Saturdays.

It's good that work is finally starting on the rebuild. Can't come soon enough.

Yes, it has been far too long. I hope they give the rest of the station a good clean too and get rid of all that damm fencing too once the work is done. Lets also hope they treat the rest of the brickwork to remove all the stuff growing out of the mortar courses wakening the whole lot further and clear the drains andg gullies up above.

 

[ServerHoster]

The RingGo car parking machines have been taken out as well and placed on the ground too behind the public bin, though they have been out of use for some time and users directed to use the app to pay for parking instead.

This isn't just Northwich. It has also happened at Sandbach and Holmes Chapel etc. It seems to be a Northern thing.

 

[WesternLancer]

Yep, it is supposed to of similar style and same coloured brickwork as the original according to what was submitted on the planning application.

Thanks for update. Does anyone know if the Railway Heritage Trust are involved? Kind of project on the operational network they might engage with to ensure and enhance any restoration work ref original features etc.

 

[8A Rail]

Not sure on that one. Having looked at the planning application again, some revised drawing documents were submitted in November and on two of the illustrations the canopy is shown as it is now, cut back and not restored the full length towards the footbridge.

As it was Network Rail's fault for the collapse in the first instance through lack of maintenance and upkeep, then they should be put into a position that it must be returned to original appearance including the canopy.

 

[WesternLancer]

As it was Network Rail's fault for the collapse in the first instance through lack of maintenance and upkeep, then they should be put into a position that it must be returned to original appearance including the canopy.

Arguably yes, but unless it was a listed building they may not be obliged to do that. I can't recall if it was listed however! Sorry.

 

[John Webb]

Arguably yes, but unless it was a listed building they may not be obliged to do that. I can't recall if it was listed however! Sorry.

Looking at the Historic England website the station is not a listed building.

 

[WesternLancer]

Looking at the Historic England website the station is not a listed building.

Thanks John - but of course still would hope NR would 'do the right thing'. Lets hope so.

 

[pharrc20]

The work compound has now been established and uses most of the car park from the road cross roads traffic lights end towards the old side gate station entrance. Despite, the site plan that they stuck up on posts and fence railings, there is no access from the steps leading down from Middlewich Road bridge. Yes, you can go down the steps but then you have to walk all the way round the compound in a big U shape to gain access to the current station entrance. Work is planned to start soon and last until July. No word on replacing the canopy back to it's full length nor any heritage considerations other than using a matching shade type of brick for the external brickwork. I will keep a watch on the work when I can.
Cheers Paul

 

[WesternLancer]

The work compound has now been established and uses most of the car park from the road cross roads traffic lights end towards the old side gate station entrance. Despite, the site plan that they stuck up on posts and fence railings, there is no access from the steps leading down from Middlewich Road bridge. Yes, you can go down the steps but then you have to walk all the way round the compound in a big U shape to gain access to the current station entrance. Work is planned to start soon and last until July. No word on replacing the canopy back to it's full length nor any heritage considerations other than using a matching shade type of brick for the external brickwork. I will keep a watch on the work when I can.
Cheers Paul

Thanks for update - interesting to read. Will be good to see how things develop with this. Post appreciated.

 

[pharrc20]

Thanks for update - interesting to read. Will be good to see how things develop with this. Post appreciated.

Not much gone on so far they were digging trenches yesterday in the car park where the fenced compound is. Maybe looking for original builder's plans lol.

 

[LOL The Irony]

I was in Northwich today and took some photos of the site from the petrol station. They have steels up where wall will go.

 

[P Binnersley]

The planning application can be viewed on the Cheshire West and Chester website (ref 22/01973/P18).

"The proposed reconstruction would have a similar design to the original construction, but would reduce the height of the front elevation gable feature. The design and external appearance of the building including the materials would preserve or enhance the significance of the non-designated heritage asset."

So it looks like it will be an almost a like for like replacement for the building. The canopy will be cut back to where it currently terminates.

 

[yorksrob]

The planning application can be viewed on the Cheshire West and Chester website (ref 22/01973/P18).


So it looks like it will be an almost a like for like replacement for the building. The canopy will be cut back to where it currently terminates.

Overall, that's good news.