Alterations to railway station are ‘inevitable’
CivicTrust’s say on electrification
Work which would alter Stirling’s A-listed railway station has been described as “inevitable” by the local body which aims to safeguard the city’s historic buildings.
Stirling Civic Trust say there is no alternative to some of the work being proposed by Network Rail as part of their electrification programme.
But the trust add that members of the public may not notice the changes.
As reported in last week’s Observer, Network Rail has acknowledged electrification works at Stirling Station will impact on its historic features.
The company has applied to Stirling Council for permission to install overhead line equipment at the Grade A listed complex designed by renowned station architect James Miller.
Alterations to platform canopies and to the platforms 2/3 footbridge as well as removal of one signal and the installation of new signals are also proposed as part of a wider project to electrify rail lines in the Central Belt.
This week, Jack Sutherland, convenor and secretary of Stirling Civic Trust, said: “Having seen the relevant applications, the Trust feel that these works are inevitable due to the electrification of the line, a change which will bring about environmental and operational benefits.
“We see the change to the footbridge as possibly the contentious point but can suggest no alternative. Basically we agree with the consultant statement that passengers will probably not be aware of any notable change except the footbridge.”
Stirling Station was B-listed in 1978 but was upgraded to category A in 1993 and the listing covers the main station building, island building, footbridges and platforms.
Listed building documents describe it as “an outstanding early 20th century railway station in Scotland, distinguished by its impressive castiron and glazed circular concourse with rounded ticket office to centre and decorative ironwork detailing to glazed concourse verandahs”.
Network Rail say the proposals have been designed to minimise the impact on the station’s heritage significance while still satisfying engineering requirements and industry regulations.
Stirling Station was reconstructed in 1912-15 by architect James Miller who designed around 70 stations in Scotland.
Since it was officially opened on New Year’s Day 1915, the station is said to have undergone only minor alterations.