MP spotlights traders moved after roof fall
Bath MP Wera Hobhouse met stallholders from Bath Farmers’ Market after it was confirmed that the ‘Market Square’ in Green Park Station had not been declared safe from falling glass.
The glazed ornamental cast-iron carriage canopy designed by John Holloway Sanders has been considered dangerous since a shard crashed to the ground on February 12, 2020 and a second dislodged in April 2021, either of which could have proved lethal.
“It was so helpful to meet with stallholders to understand the challenges of operating in Green Park Station whilst the roof is undergoing repairs,” said the MP. “They are open for business and I’d urge you to head down to show your support for these independent enterprises.”
The glass canopy was damaged during bombing raids by the Luftwaffe in April 1942, and the structure has been out of balance since.
It was not repaired by the railway operators during times of post-war
austerity and the whole station stood derelict from the time of the Beeching axe on 7th March 1966 until it was restored in the 1980s.
Now the station building together with the attached supermarket are leased by B&NES to Sainsbury’s on a 100-year repairing and restoring lease. In turn Sainsbury’s lease the front part of the station including the area covered by the canopy to Ethical Property Ltd.
“When the first panel fell, we thought a pigeon had landed on the canopy and dislodged the glass,” said Sarah Campbell, Ethical Property’s Regional Manager for SW and Wales.
B&NES councillor Richard Samuel said: “We have very little say in what happens. Sainsbury’s have imposed restrictions on the use of the area until the end of the year.”
At issue is a wooden decking area
in the centre of the old concourse where stalls are normally set up. Known as the Market Square, this is unable to support the weight of cherry pickers to put up protective netting. Netting has been installed around the edges of the site, where the sheds and walkways run.
Council leader Kevin Guy has written to Sainsbury’s asking for a programme of the works planned at the station.
A Sainsbury’s spokesperson said: “Safety is our highest priority and so we are carrying out maintenance works in our Bath store car park at Green Park station.
“While works are being completed, the area is out of use and we are supporting the farmers’ market as much as we can. This includes arranging space for the market to continue in our Bath store car park.”