THE Friends of Broadbottom Station (FoBS) are mourning the passing of an old friend, a well-loved shelter that has stood on the platform for 69 years.
A two-year campaign by the FoBS to save the distinctive wooden structure failed and Network Rail has completed its demolition.
But out of sadness has come a positive as Network has promised a ‘bespoke’ replacement made of materials in keeping with the station.
And they are to interact with Broadbottom rail users and encourage them to submit designs for a replacement.
The FoBS and then newly formed Shelter Group collected a 325-name petition in 2018 to save the shelter which was erected in 1952 to replace a previous wooden one which burned down.
Through Facebook, they asked for comments to be sent to Network Rail, which many did. They involved local councillors, MP, Jonathan Reynolds and took advice from many others, including people involved in heritage conservation and groups elsewhere who had ‘saved’ a shelter.
They had meetings with Network Rail’s community groups’ representative and asked for detailed costings. They also met with various rail groups, including TfGM (Transport for Greater Manchester) and Northern, but there was no funding available or ways in which they could halt its demolition.
Joan Abrams, a member of FoBS and the Shelter Group, said: “Broadbottom residents, and many others who use the station in normal times, are very sad to lose it.
“It had not been well looked after for the last 15 years and excessive and expensive repairs were needed, especially to the foundations.
“There were difficulties and expense in maintaining it due to the power lines that are very close by.”
Joan added Network Rail has promised a ‘bespoke’ shelter, made of materials in keeping with the station, slightly smaller in dimensions, and with the design ideas of local people taken well into account.
They are hoping for a distinctive structure, well in keeping with the historic nature of the station, which was opened in 1842, and incorporating modern techniques such as rainwater collection.
One local, a joiner, has drawn up plans for a new shelter and estimated materials alone would cost £12,000.
Network Rail is to erect a temporary shelter with the permanent replacement due to be erected this summer.
Anybody wishing to submit a design for the new shelter can send it to joanabrams@hotmail.com