The following article was published on Manx.Net's website on the 16th March 2015.

Rodan defends Laxey scheme

"The Chairman of the regeneration committee has asked people not to pass judgement on the work at Laxey Station until it is finished. It follows condemnation of the scheme from railway enthusiasts who are calling for a public meeting to be held.

Steve Rodan SHK said: 'At the moment it is a big building site, and understandably there are concerns how it is all going to look.'

He said there had been support for the MER station to be improved as part of a wider regeneration project that includes creating a village square. Mr Rodan said he accepted the stone paving at the station looked 'overbearing' but said the appearance would soften and darken over time, adding: 'The end result will be a far more accessible public space using high quality materials appropriate to a conservation area - and, very important, a number of more historic features will be reintroduced once the ground works have been completed.'

He said these included timber benches by a local craftsman which replicate those that were previously in the station area, the return of the rustic kiosks which have been renovated, traditional-style lighting and gravel surfacing to non-pedestrian areas."

The article is still available for viewing on Manx.Net's website by clicking HERE.

In response to the article titled "Rodan Defends Laxey Scheme" which was published by Manx.Net on the 16th March 2015, the Manx Electric Railway Society has issued the following statement:-

"The Manx Electric Railway Society (MERS) and its members are appalled that the historic and charming centrepiece of the Manx Electric Railway, Laxey Station has now apparently been irreparably damaged using Isle of Man Government money, in the name of the Manx people and without any proper debate. This was a brief pushed through the Planning Committee for all the wrong reasons and without consideration of the impact it will have on tourism in general, the amenity of Laxey in particular and the good name of our Island.

We are particularly concerned to see that further plans include a similar act of wanton destruction in Douglas Steam Railway Station where Mr Longworth appears to be intent on inserting an ugly modernistic steel structure inside the booking hall. He has been thankfully prevented (not by the Planning Committee but by an Inspector) from erecting an ugly modernistic structure to replace Ramsey station, at least for the time being.

We call on all Manx people to join us in resisting further encroachment upon the charm and history of our railways, and reversing the ugliness of what has been done. We would urge all interested parties to visit the MERS website which can be found at www.mers.org.im

For the avoidance of doubt, we do not agree with Mr Rodan (one of those jointly responsible for the development at Laxey) that this will "ride up with wear". His committee set out to give us a Manchester Metro Station complete with (on the plans put forward by his Regeneration Committee), ugly granite paving, (including deterrent paving) LED lighting, over-engineered poles and stainless steel street furniture. He may seek now to associate himself with some of the changes (such as the rustic furniture which is being made as a result of an independent local initiative) but he must be remembered for the scheme he proposed and the ugly granite that has been put in our lovely station, along with the hatchet shaped walkway leading to the inappropriately named "Town" Square." It should be named after him surely?

Let the people of Laxey remember him. Future works planned for Castletown and Port Erin Stations on the Isle of Man Railway are also expected to feature the same inappropriate and ugly granite paving"

We would like to hear your views. If you have any comments or further information on this story, please email the Manx Electric Railway Society at [email protected]