Carnforth’s lofty concrete towers are on ‘at risk’ register

THE badly deteriorated state of reinforced concrete structures at Carnforth’s former LMS locomotive depot - most notably the Grade II-listed coaling tower, ash disposal plant, water tower and the six-road shed itself - has prompted Historic England to place them on its Heritage at Risk register. Previously key elements of the Steamtown, Carnforth railway museum which ran from 1968-96, the structures have become a maintenance and safety liability for West Coast Railway Co, which today uses the site as the main base for its charter train operations. The structures particularly the coaling tower and ash disposal plant - have been in a known state of decay for more than 30 years, suffering from so-called ‘concrete cancer’ - corrosion of internal steel reinforcing rods, forcing cracking and eruption of the concrete structure. Expert opinion on whether it can be repaired is divided. Working demonstrations during high season open days ceased in the early 1980s because of the poor condition of the concrete towers. The steel access ladders to the top of them were removed as a safety precaution. The listed structures, which include the carriage shed and Settle & Carlisle line signal box from Selside, all fall within a ‘conservation area’ which also includes Carnforth station, and streets that feature a number of railwaymen’s terraced houses. The ‘at risk’ listing, according to Lancaster City Councillor Janice Hanson, provides an opportunity “to work together to access funding, and establish a way forward.” West Coast MD Pat Marshall told Steam Railway: “The structures are certainly a liability - but as a company, we have mixed views as to whether they should be repaired or demolished. “They’re really not in a very good state - but we haven’t been approached by anyone about this ‘at risk’ listing. It’s all news to us.”