Concerns Rise Over Potential Damage to Hexham Station Building
Residents express worries about the historic Hexham station’s condition after repairs using sealant
Hexham, UK, Network Rail, Historic Building, Vermin
Hexham: A local resident, James Gray, is pretty worried about the historic railway station in town. He noticed some repairs being done that he thinks could cause damage.
Gray, who commutes to Newcastle daily, spotted a Network Rail worker using a grey sealant to fill gaps in the stonework. He wasn’t impressed at all.
This station is a Grade II listed building, which means it’s recognized for its historical significance. So, any repairs need to be done carefully.
Gray mentioned that the sealant used could harm the building. He said, “This is an important historic listed building which has been both defaced and damaged for no good reason.” He believes the sealant will need to be removed before proper repairs can happen.
A spokesperson from Network Rail explained that the sealant was a temporary fix to deal with a vermin issue. They’re working on a more permanent solution with Northern.
Gray countered that using this sealant was “inappropriate and insensitive.” He feels that it doesn’t match the historic character of the building.
He added, “Using a dark grey sealant to fill holes in the stonework was wholly inappropriate. It was also ineffective against vermin since only some holes were filled.” He thinks if they had used the right materials from the start, this mess could have been avoided.