Approval sought for station's cracking repairs

Plans have been submitted to repair "structurally significant decay" at a Victorian rail station after "widespread cracking" was found.

Network Rail has lodged plans with Westmorland and Furness Council for listed building consent to carry out the works at Askam Railway Station in Cumbria.

Surveys in November 2023 and February 2024 found decay to the timber, cracks in brick walls and damaged roof coverings and chimney stacks on both platforms.

The planning document states the repairs "would allow the structure to be maintained for future generations".

The document also said the work would "not detract from the historic interest of the building".

The works would include re-roofing, replacement of rotten timbers, the rebuilding of a chimney on platform two and repairs to damaged concrete and masonry brickwork, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The station opened in 1851 as Ireleth Gate Station before it was renamed Askam Station in 1875.

It was originally constructed to transport the iron ore that was mined locally, but soon became a busy passenger line thanks to the influx of miners.

The station buildings were added in 1877.

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