Repairs are given the green light at Cirencester Town station building
SIXTY years after it saw its last passenger train, Isambard Kingdom Brunel-designed and Grade II-listed Cirencester Town station is to benefit from £158,000 worth of vital repairs by its owner, Cotswold District Council.
The council’s cabinet authorised the expenditure on the landmark, which has stood vacant for several years, in response to a survey where engineers identified structural instability in the west wall adjacent to the old platform.
The wall was identified as structurally unstable, due partially to extensive rot in structural timbers.
The necessary remedial work involves rebuilding the brick and timber wall, along with associated works to the parapet and guttering above it and the abutting walls. To address the immediate concern, structural scaffolding has been erected to support the wall ahead of the repair works.
The council had initially collaborated with New Brewery Arts on a renovation proposal for the station, however, with New Brewery Arts deciding not to proceed, the council is now exploring alternative strategies to ensure that the site contribute to the town centre’s cultural and historical significance.
Coun Lisa Spivey, cabinet member for communities and public safety, said: “This investment underscores our commitment to preserving the Old Station, while we look at all options to protect these buildings for future generations and bring them back into use.
“Unique buildings like this are often a challenge as they come with high price tags for maintenance. Also, the Old Station was designed for a specific purpose, which brings difficulty in adapting it for use in other ways.”
Opened by the Cheltenham and Great Western Union Railway on May 31, 1941, the station closed to passengers on April 6, 1964, and was given Grade II listing status on July 23, 1971.
It was reported to be in a poor internal condition in 2016, having been empty since 2012.