THE LATEST ISSUE of "LAXEY VIEWS", a free community newsletter features the MER station on the front page of the April edition. The newsletter which is the work of three villagers, Jackie Baker, Kerry Sharpe and Joanne Clague, features quotes from the MER Society and the local MHK for the area, current Speaker of the House of Keys Steve Rodan who chaired the 'regeneration committee' which came up with the controversial scheme to pave over the station.
Under the headline "Regeneration taking shape amid criticism of station scheme", the newsletter quotes Mr Rodan asking "people not to pass judgement on Laxey's regeneration project until it's been completed."
The newsletter continues: "But there's been an outcry from railway enthusiasts. The Manx Electric Railway Society says: 'We 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."
"But Mr Rodan said a public consultation in 2010 had revealed support for the MER station to be improved aspart of a wider regeneration project. The final scheme, approved in 2012, had the support of the local regeneration committee and the commissioners. He said: 'At the moment it is a big building site and understandably there are concerns about how it is all going to look.'"
"Mr Rodan says the scheme will allow for better access between the station, gardens and beyond with high quality, natural stone paving providing clearly defined pedestrian areas. He said historic features would be reintroduced once the groundworks were completed.
"He said of the paving: 'I accept that it looks overbearing but the appearance of this material will soften over time and its 'newness' give way to a softer finish.'
"Mr Rodan said a local craftsman has made timber benches which replicate the former benches. Meanwhile, the two rustic kiosks that were removed some time ago have been renovated and are back on site in pride of place.
"Mr Rodan said: 'I hope that this will provide people with some reassurance that the completed project will provide a station which is accessible whilst retaining those special Victorian features that give the station its charm.'
"The MERS doesn't agree and claims Laxey will end up with a 'Manchester Metro Station complete with ugly granite paving, LED lighting, over-engineered poles and stainless steel street furniture.
'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.'
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"
LAXEY VIEWS makes reference to the facebook group "Laxey Options On New Station ‐ Loons" and its call for a public meeting. The MERS has been in contact with the organisers and offered assistance should the meeting come to pass.
The newsletter was quoting from an MERS Press Release issued on March 18th giving its reaction to Mr Rodans' assurances:
"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?"
LAXEY VIEWS has a circulation of 500 and is available free throughout the village and can be contacted at [email protected]
MERS 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]