A LAST minute plea was made today to preserve one of Merseyside’s oldest railway stations - after dismantling work started on an original cast iron canopy dating back to the 1860s.
The ironwork at Aigburth Railway Station, in Mersey Road, is being removed to make way for a "bus shelter’"-style waiting room.
More than 100 local residents and station users have already signed a petition to get the work halted.
Today Mossley Hill councillor Tina Gould contacted English Heritage in a bid to get “spot listing” for the station to force contractors to down tools.
She has also written to Cllr Liam Robinson, chairman of Merseytravel, and Cllr Wendy Simon, the city council’s executive member for culture, as well as to Network Rail.
Aigburth Station's original canopy to go
Cllr Gould told them: “We need very urgent action to save this important part of Aigburth heritage and an important part of national rail history. The original cast iron canopy at Aigburth Station, built in 1864, is currently being removed. Next year the station will celebrate its 150th anniversary.
“Local users of the station have told me they were under the impression improvement works were being made at the station to re-open the original waiting room there (closed off for many years), and they have been shocked by the extent of the work.”
Although the station is managed by Network Rail, Cllr Gould is hoping Merseytravel and the city council’s heritage team can use their influence as a matter of urgency, to preserve the station’s historic features.
Aigburth residents say the proposed modern “bus-stop” type of shelter on the station platform will look completely out of place in the original Victorian setting.
Cllr Gould added: “I am amazed there has been no consultation with local people or local councillors prior to this work.”
Network Rail has informed local people who complained about the scheme that it plans to retain the removed cast iron columns and details to be re-used on “other heritage projects”.
'Shocked'
“People feel proud of their heritage in this city and it is a crying shame such a beautiful old station is being spoiled and defaced in this way. With urgent intervention it is still possible to save the original features,” said Cllr Gould.
One regular station user said: “Everybody was delighted when it appeared they were going to re-open the original brick waiting room, but when they started to dismantle the canopy we were shocked. This is a beautiful station and should be preserved.
“Who in their right mind could even think a flimsy bus stop shelter will enhance this historic station? Obviously the decision has been made by people at Network Rail who have no regard, and perhaps no interest, in rail history.”
