UK: Greater Anglia has obtained planning approval to restore the main building at Saxmundham station, which lost its second floor, roof and chimneys in a fire in February 2018.
Work will start early next year to remodel the structure as a single-storey building incorporating an air-conditioned waiting room with seats, free wi-fi and laptop and phone charging points. There will also be an area which will initially be used for operational purposes during the introduction of Greater Anglia’s new rolling stock, and later for commercial or community purposes.
‘Seeing this lovely old building ravaged by fire in an arson attack was devastating’, said Greater Anglia’s Asset Management Director Simone Bailey on November 8. ‘We initially thought that the entire building would have to be demolished. However, we’re pleased to have worked closely with the community, listening to their views and have come up with a solution that, although does not reinstate the entire building, keeps its character and improves the facilities there by opening the previously vacant building and giving it a new lease of life.’
