General Discussion
It looks as though the signal box on dawlish station is going to be demolished by Network Rail.This Is due to safety fears that it might collapse.
Can English Heritage or the Railway Heritage Trust not help with the repairs? It would be such a shame for Dawlish to lose this piece of history.
This was posted on here back in 2004. Network Rail have been biding their time ever since. The battle to save an historic signal box from demolition has been won. A planning inspector has ruled that Network Rail cannot knock down the redundant box on Dawlish Station. The company claimed the listed structure needed major renovations at great cost, but railway enthusiasts argued it should be preserved and another use found for it. In her summary the inspector, Jennifer Armstrong, states she has borne in mind government advice that buildings from the past are to be valued and protected for their own sake. "They are part of our cultural heritage and our sense of national identity. "There should be a presumption in favour of conservation of listed buildings, except where a convincing case can be made out for alteration or demolition." The box was built in 1917 for the GWR and has a distinctive design that is narrower at the bottom, to allow passengers to walk past on the confined platform
It's quite obvious Network Rail has just waited for the box to start falling down of its own accord, and will now get permission to finish off the job it wanted to do in 2004.
@Mcjrpc.I did not know about that in 2004 and I did not have a laptop computer then.So going by that, Network Rail will have to make a very convincing case for demolition.This news article is in the Dawlish Gazette.Thanks for posting that reply.
It could be an interesting attraction. How about if the council were to buy it and have it installed in the town somewhere?
Hi, I've only lived in Dawlish for 6 months but know the station well. Everytime I see the signal box I can't help but think It'll make an Exellent all be it little Camera, Telescope and Binocular Shop. There's a little storage on ground level and with the views and the trains I think there's a market with Birdwatchers, Holidaymakers and trainspotters.
@Gadget. glad you have chosen dawlish to live.lovely place to live. anyway the signal box network rail want to demolish because they say its unsafe.the news article was in dawlish gazette.
The Gazette reports that the Signal Box has now been delisted by English Heritage and is expected to be demolished soon.
Justin Rushworth is a convicted frandster and criminal and has been to prison http://www.bostonstandard.co.uk/news/local/three-businessmen-jailed-in-fraud-case-1-5386872 dont let him near the signal box at dawlish.........