FOLLOWING the controversial works carried out at Laxey MER station last winter, it appears that Douglas Steam Railway station is next to be on the receiving end of modernisation - according to a report published in today's Isle of Man Examiner. In the bid (14/00891/GB), it states: "although popular with visitors and local residents, the station building has been in need of repairs and refurbishment some time. The partitions, floors and ceilings would be demolished and a new first floor mezzanine, staircase and lift installed. A new kitchen would be built on the ground floor in a current story, the ticket office would be, cafe, and the current restaurant space would become a retail unit to be occupied by tenants to increase income revenue from the building. An "alfresco dining area", covered by glass canopy, would be created, to provide extra seating for the restaurant and cafe, as well as an external passenger waiting area.
The Department of Infrastructure wants to "make the building commercially viable to ensure its future preservation."
The station was added to the Protected Buildings Register back in March 1984 "by reason of its architectural or historic interest." This registration "prohibits the alteration or demolition of the structure or appearance of any part of the building(s) except in compliance with an obligation imposed by or under any statutory provision or with the prior written consent of the planning committee."
Back in 1984 the station was described: "The somewhat rambling structure (as is required by its function) is constructed of red brick with pitched slate roofs and a major glass roofed lean to entrance corridor. The profile of the brickwork is been constructed to approximate to the platform roofing requirements in decorative fashion. Similarly the accommodation areas of the station have received some definition with brick pilasters and string courses of geometrical rather than structural significance.
"Because the building is sited in a hollow, there is an imposing gateway and clock in a detached structure located to be visible along Athol Street. This structure with its twin two pillars and central arch is well resolved but only related to the main station by a rather small scale brick and iron paling fence to the gate in closing the station yard.
Remember that all this was written thirty years ago at a time when the station platforms had been half demolished, the canopies removed, and the track work and rolling stock was in a very poor state of repair. In this context the following 'recommendation' was added to the listing:"it is difficult to consider the merits of listing this building without knowing the future of the railway line itself." Since this was written the line has been completely relayed to a very high standard, investment in rolling stock and stations has been enormous and the railway recently took delivery of an expensive Diesel locomotive.
Back in 1984 the planners wrote: " the station is not felt to be a good example of such a Victorian structure. If it were judged appropriate to retain a "monument" to the station in the event of its possible demolition and it is reasoned that the clock/arch would suffice. However there does seem to be a considerable feeling of emotion on the part of the general public directed toward retaining the station in tact regardless, and as public servants the authorities must take such views into account."
As for the station being "not felt to be a good example of such a Victorian structure" this was as wrong then as it is now. As long ago as 1962 it was described as "a very remarkable structure in red brick and without doubt no narrow gauge railway in the British Isles ever equalled it for size and elegance. It was clearly designed to show visitors that Douglas could provide a station which lacked nothing in terms of what the public at that they expected at home. In fact, it probably excelled it." So wrote railway historian James I.C.Boyd in his definitive history of the line, sentiments which have been repeated many, many times since.
As far as 'feeing and emotion' on the part of the general public is concerned, back in 1984 the local enthusiasts groups where perhaps at the height of their influence having forced u-turns on government policy to partially close both the MER and the Steam Railway itself.
It remains to be seen thirty years on if public opinion is of a similar point of view and whether "public servants [and] authorities must take such views into account"...