Facebook group, Laxey Options On New Station, which has attracted over 600 followers in a little over 10 days, has issued the following statement.
Public Meeting? -your views wanted
"Over the last few days I have been reflecting on the regeneration of Laxey station. It seems to me that those in charge of the regeneration simply do not care that the work is not in keeping with the Victorian era of the Station. This is also the opinion of a tiny minority of comments approving the new look, that may be found on this and other Facebook pages. There are elements of the work, such as the kiosks, benches, lights and paintingof the poles that will be in keeping with the period. However these details appear to have been agreed recently in response to public concern.
On this page, over 610 people to date have voiced their disapproval of the works, particularly the use of granite slabs and certain other detailing. This level of disapproval has made me think about the responsibility of the regeneration committee. The "public consultation" and brainstorming at the Laxey WMI was aimed at Laxey residents and the establishment of the Laxey regeneration committee. However, Laxey Station is part of our Island's heritage and the work is funded by the Island's current and future taxpayers. Therefore the regeneration committee has a clear responsibility to the whole of the Island not just to Laxey. To underline this, our Government has confirmed recently that the heritage railways are an important part of our Island's economy.
Shockingly, it seems fairly clear that the appointed designers wanted a modern station, as earlier this week there was a posting on the page advising the first plans included a new station building akin to the sound café, with steel benches, led lighting and granite slabs. The warning signs of the designers' aims were evident and clearly not heeded.
Following the issue of our press release, the chairman of the regeneration committee Steve Rodan rang me and during our conversation he said that he is not interested in holding a meeting regarding this matter. However if a public meeting is held, a consensus could request the replacement of the slabs with more suitable materials in keeping with the era, or the meeting could simply accept that the slabs are out of keeping with the Victorian station but conclude that they should remain in situ. At the very least, the meeting will highlight lessons that need to be learned and prevent similar problems elsewhere around the Island.
As previously mentioned, I understand that the Captain of a Parish is required to hold a requisition meeting at the request of 10 or more residents of the parish. Therefore if you think that a requisition meeting would be helpful, please let me know by "liking" this post. I will organise an appropriate letter requesting a meeting if 10 or more residents of Laxey and Lonan let me know over the forthcoming weekend that they will sign the letter. If you are willing to sign the letter, please email your name and address to [email protected]"
To view or follow the Laxey Station Facebook page, click HERE.
"I only happened upon your website yesterday when I thought I would have a look for comments after I had driven past the station a couple of weeks ago. That was the first I knew about this and I was horrified! I was reminded to look for comments by my daughter asking me if I had seen 'what they have done to Laxey station' when she saw photos that had found their way onto her brother's Facebook page, and he lives on the south coast of England!
I often visited the station last summer, taking the tram to Ramsey or Snaefell, and I was pleased to see that things had been restored to pretty much as they were before the track renewal, apart from those poles! Oh well, perhaps they may blend in if painted green - I could live with that and I was particularly pleased that the gravel finish and screening of trees were kept. They are what gives (gave!) the station its charm.
I am also concerned by what is planned for Port Erin steam railway station. I have been told that IOM Transport, in another flash of its wisdom, are to integrate the main bus stop in Bridson Street (only round the corner) with the railway station, so that a traveller may pass seamlessly between train and bus (or vice-versa!) freeing them from the short stroll between the two and no doubt adding considerably to congestion in the high street. Not content with this masterstroke, the architectural integrity of the station building is to be further enhanced(?) by the addition of a glass conservatory style shelter at the front, presumably on the present pavement which will, no doubt, become yet another chinese granite dessert!
As a lifelong resident and retired servant of the IOM Government I am saddened and angered by what I consider to be the breathtakingly thoughtless and irresponsible behaviour of key individuals at senior level more intent on ticking boxes on their forward job plans than on acting in a sensitive and responsible manner as custodians of our heritage. One may well ask how people like these get their jobs, but that would be would be a rhetorical question!" GA Onchan
"We are both absolutely horrified at the changes taking place at Laxey, the unique character of the station is being destroyed in one fell swoop, something must be able to be done to stop this madness? Surly something as important as this should be open to full public consultation."
"Following the article in the Isle of Man Examiner dated 10th March – as a resident of Laxey – I have been appalled at the work progressing. The felling of mature trees and paving that can only be related to a modern "town" station – not a country village one. I cannot see how modern paving can work with the historic Victorian station that tourists expect to see when they arrive on such a unique historic tram ride. There is far too much paving – the softness and grass surrounding it has gone.
As for the coach car park opposite Brown's café – the seats are a travesity – not in keeping with the village at all. I hope the miners statue will be better than the last one – but again why put it on such a huge modern plinth that looks as if it out of a graveyard. A really good job was done with the surrounding stone walls – why wasn't the plinth in keeping and built in stone as well?
I agree – the work should be stopped and re-ascessed immediately." D Laxey