Published on: Friday, 8 November 2019
Last updated: Friday, 8 November 2019
Greater Anglia will start to rebuild fire-damaged Saxmundham rail station after gaining planning approval.
The train operator has released an artist’s impression of what the building will look like after completion of the works, planned to commence in the new year.
After the collapse of the second floor, roof and chimneys following the fire, the station will be remodelled into a single storey building which will incorporate a new waiting room for passengers, a new area for self-serve ticket vending machines and an area initially for rail operational use to support the introduction of the new trains, but later for commercial or community use, retaining much of the building’s historic character.
The new facilities make use of the previously vacant station building and will benefit from the installation of CCTV as well as free Wi-Fi, laptop and phone charging points, comfortable seating and air conditioning in the waiting room.
In addition, the car park will be upgraded and extended to offer 51 parking bays, several disabled parking bays and motorcycle parking, all covered by improved CCTV, and new landscaped areas.
As part of the project, platform 2 will also be resurfaced and fully refurbished.
Greater Anglia’s Asset Management Director, Simone Bailey, said, “Seeing this lovely old building ravaged by fire in an arson attack was devastating. We initially thought that the entire building would have to be demolished.
“However, we’re pleased to have worked closely with the community, listening to their views and have come up with a solution that, although does not reinstate the entire building, keeps its character and improves the facilities there by opening the previously vacant building and giving it a new lease of life.”