Brandon - trains not stopping.

[Ashley Hill]

According to the BBC website trains are not currently stopping at Brandon.

The old station building has been described as in a state of collapse. However it is also home to a species of rare bat. A replacement bus service is operating.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-suffolk-64824870

A disused ticket office at a train station that is at risk of collapse has led to a platform being closed.
Greater Anglia said the issue at Brandon station, Suffolk, would affect passengers heading towards Norwich, with trains unable to stop.
The roof of the listed building, which shut in 1978, would be removed "as an emergency measure" to allow experts to assess it, the operator added.
A replacement bus service is in place, with Ely-bound trains unaffected.
Natural England was also being consulted, with the roof home to a protected species of bat.

 

[Trainfan344]

Roof needs removing but the bats are hibernating in there.

Station footbridge also closed due to the aforementioned structural issues with passengers for the Cambridge bound platform required to cross using the level crossing.

 

[306024]

Here’s the link from the GA website

https://www.greateranglia.co.uk/tra...ral-damageworks-building-near-railway-brandon

Detailed inspections and assessments are taking place of the Grade II listed building, with the aim of work commencing this week.These time-scales could change, we will update this page and our Twitter @greateranglia as soon as we have more information.

There is also a protected species of bat hibernating within the building itself, which complicates the work. We are working with Natural England on this.

Also, for safety reasons, the footbridge has been closed. To access the station to/from the car park, you will need to walk using the main road and the level crossing.

 

[dk1]

It’s making a change to drive through at 90mph on the down. Not done that on a regular basis since Brandon was added to the Norwich-Cambridge route around 2004.

 

[Craig1122]

This can't be classed as a sudden or unexpected failure. What a damning indictment of the state of parts of the network.

 

[Trainfan344]

If the building is in danger of collapse why is it not safe to stop but safe to pass at 90mph?

Is it a case of it's more dangerous for passengers on the platform than fouling the track?

 

[LowLevel]

This can't be classed as a sudden or unexpected failure. What a damning indictment of the state of parts of the network.

They wanted to knock it down to be fair, given it's been effectively useless for decades, but someone decided to have it listed and now they're stuck with it and no trains.

 

[AngusH]

From the BBC picture I think it may be because the scaffolding has reduced the effective platform width to be too narrow.

Does that seem plausible?

 

[LowLevel]

From the BBC picture I think it may be because the scaffolding has reduced the effective platform width to be too narrow.

Does that seem plausible?

No, the station has been operating for some time with the scaffolding in place. See attached photo of a train at Brandon Station

 

[Ashley Hill]

As the dangerous roof has to come off will a new one be put on? What is the interior like,ex railway use,ex shop or a gutted mess?

 

[John Webb]

They wanted to knock it down to be fair, given it's been effectively useless for decades, but someone decided to have it listed and now they're stuck with it and no trains.

It was first listed in 2020 - see https://historicengland.org.uk/listing/the-list/list-entry/1471392?section=official-list-entry for the lengthy description and history of the station and line.

 

[AngusH]

If the building is in danger of collapse why is it not safe to stop but safe to pass at 90mph?

Is it a case of it's more dangerous for passengers on the platform than fouling the track?

This is where my question about scaffolding came from.
I had assumed it had been put up in response to the latest problem, but definitely not the case

Could it be that there is disagreement over the severity of the issue between station operator and track operator?

unless they're worried that a malicious or careless passenger might somehow cause the collapse of the structure?
I could imagine such a thing happening I guess...

 

[dk1]

Unfortunately it’s only the down platform at Brandon which is bi-directionally signalled.

 

[AlterEgo]

Our building listing system here is so broken. This building serves no purpose and has limited potential.

 

[dk1]

Our building listing system here is so broken. This building serves no purpose and has limited potential.

People are obsessed with Dads Army.