Repairs for tower at Stowmarket railway station in Suffolk

Two applications for changes to Stowmarket station are currently under consideration by Mid Suffolk District Council, submitted by Greater Anglia.

One of the applications involves repairs to the tower, and the other a new door to meet fire regulations in the main station building.

The repairs would involve a new roof and new staircase in the tower, on the right side when facing the main station building, next to the car park, as the roof leaks and the structure, made of timber joists and timber boards, is in poor condition.

The application aims to retain original features, where possible, including windows, but the original stairway is "beyond repair" and needs replacing, according to application documents.

The works will be a "sensitive programme of repair and refurbishment", undertaken in two phases.

Applications have been made for Stowmarket train station (Image: Newsquest)

The roof will be replaced first to make it better able to withstand weather effects, which will involve removing what is left of the staircase inside, which will be "carefully photographed and recorded".

The second phase, when the roof is complete and the structure watertight, would involve replacing the staircase.

The changes would aim to replace these features like-for-like, with original materials used where available.

Another application to removing a door on platform one is also under consideration, to be replaced with a new timber paneled one with electrical warning signage.

This change was needed as part of the new footbridge power upgrade works, which require a one-hour rated room in the event of fire.

The train station is also set to benefit from a new rail bridge and lifts to provide better access for passengers with disabilities.

The station was opened with its red brick buildings by Frederick Barnesin 1846 in Jacobean style.