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Title: Network Rail take back Signal Point in Swindon Post by: grahame on August 21, 2020, 18:20:03 From Railcam UK (http://news.railcam.uk/index.php/2020/08/21/iconic-building-at-swindon-station-has-a-brighter-future-as-network-rail-takes-back-control/)
Quote Iconic building at Swindon station has a brighter future as Network Rail takes back control One of the most recognisable buildings in Swindon which is right next to the town’s station is set to get a new lease of life after Network Rail took back its ownership on 10 August. Signal Point is steeped in railway history and still bears a huge British Rail logo on the front of the building and now Network Rail has plans to improve its look and present it as an iconic entrance to Swindon. Network Rail have been trying to regain control of Signal Point for some years and have finally got it back into the railway family. It's been an eyesore and would be good to have it fixed. I have heard, though, of Network Rail tenants being less than happy with their landlords ... will Network Rail be using all (or some) of the building for their own purposes - perhaps releasing other buildings in Swindon back to there owners? Title: Re: Network Rail take back Signal Point in Swindon Post by: johnneyw on August 21, 2020, 19:21:51 "Iconic" it might be but that doesn't guarantee a pleasing aesthetic. I'm not entirely convinced that it could ever be anything other than a bit of an eyesore although I know it has some value in a post war railway architecture context. I guess it's just a matter of personal taste.
Title: Re: Network Rail take back Signal Point in Swindon Post by: stuving on August 21, 2020, 19:43:58 That news item doesn't say what sort of transaction actually happened. Two years ago Signal Point was held under a lease by Narbeth Management Ltd, who had previously proposed to convert it to housing, but then applied for planning permission to update it as offices. What happened to that? Last year SBC listed it as a potential development location for housing ... so maybe the leaseholder got fed up with almost no tenants and no progress towards getting any. In any case, presumably they have now sold the remaining lease back to NR (always the ground landlords).
Title: Re: Network Rail take back Signal Point in Swindon Post by: Bmblbzzz on August 21, 2020, 20:44:00 I agree with johnneyw. Ever since I could read the sign, I've known Signal Point as the ugly building next to Swindon station.
Title: Re: Network Rail take back Signal Point in Swindon Post by: TaplowGreen on August 21, 2020, 22:46:07 I agree with johnneyw. Ever since I could read the sign, I've known Signal Point as the ugly building next to Swindon station. Same as the virtually identical (and virtually empty) monstrosity that is Intercity House next to Plymouth station! Title: Re: Network Rail take back Signal Point in Swindon Post by: grahame on August 22, 2020, 09:38:38 from the Network Rail Media Centre (https://www.networkrailmediacentre.co.uk/news/iconic-building-at-swindon-station-has-a-brighter-future-as-network-rail-takes-back-control)
Quote Mike Gallop, Network Rail's Western route director, said: “We are excited that we can now start to plan how Signal Point and the land around it can be restored in line with plans that Swindon Borough Council have to regenerate the area. "We will now work with the council to help develop Swindon station and the town as a whole.” My bolding ... Title: Re: Network Rail take back Signal Point in Swindon Post by: Electric train on August 22, 2020, 10:00:26 Did NR own the land it is on? The freehold lease was coming to an end and NR were not willing to renew the lease without the owners carrying out the structural repairs the building requires.
I wonder if NR will move its Wales and Western Region HQ into it, also the ToC's (GWR etc), part of Andrew Haines PPF (Putting Passengers First) reorganisation is to move NR closer to its customers both ToC's and Passengers Title: Re: Network Rail take back Signal Point in Swindon Post by: RichardB on August 22, 2020, 13:00:36 I agree with johnneyw. Ever since I could read the sign, I've known Signal Point as the ugly building next to Swindon station. Same as the virtually identical (and virtually empty) monstrosity that is Intercity House next to Plymouth station! There are big plans for that. https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/rail-minister-hears-of-plans-for-intercity-place Title: Re: Network Rail take back Signal Point in Swindon Post by: johnneyw on August 22, 2020, 13:51:27 I agree with johnneyw. Ever since I could read the sign, I've known Signal Point as the ugly building next to Swindon station. Same as the virtually identical (and virtually empty) monstrosity that is Intercity House next to Plymouth station! There are big plans for that. https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/news/rail-minister-hears-of-plans-for-intercity-place Looks like even Plymouth will modernize their station before Bristol (I don't count the Temple Meads roof work as that's just overdue maintenance). This page is printed from the "Coffee Shop" forum at http://gwr.passenger.chat which is provided by a customer of Great Western Railway. Views expressed are those of the individual posters concerned. Visit www.gwr.com for the official Great Western Railway website. Please contact the administrators of this site if you feel that content provided contravenes our posting rules ( see http://railcustomer.info/1761 ). The forum is hosted by Well House Consultants - http://www.wellho.net |