Wokingham had the only mechanical signal box for miles around, which is now disused. And if you were wondering what was planned for it,
this is the answer (text from the letter of notification):
Notice of intention to demolish redundant railway signal box located to the south side of Barkham Road, Wokingham, Berkshire (X:480601 Y:168594) known as ‘Wokingham Signal Box’, as well as the operational equipment building situated behind (X:480605 Y:168581).
As set out above, I am writing to notify you of Network Rail Infrastructure Limited’s (Network Rail) intention to undertake works to demolish a redundant signal box at the above location. The adjacent operational equipment building will also be removed as part of the demolition works and the area of ground will be cleared and made safe afterwards. Both buildings are shown edged in red on the photograph included in Figure 1 below.
The signal box and adjacent building are situated alongside the railway line and south-west of the Level Crossing on Barkham Road, as denoted with a red outline on the Site Location Plan enclosed within this letter. The demolition is required as both buildings area now redundant as they are no longer operational following the conclusion of the Feltham re-signalling programme.
The footbridge immediately south of Wokingham Station, on the opposite side of the Level Crossing and Barkham Road, is Grade II listed, however the signal box and adjacent building do not fall within its curtilage. The site is also not located within a Conservation Area.....
They do not actually say why they
need to remove it. I presume it's just that any disused building incurs maintenance and security charges, as well as a risk of liability for injury to intruders, so they routinely plan for removal. If someone comes up with a compelling reason for retention, then maybe ...
Incidentally, since when were OS▸ grid coordinates called X and Y?
Click on the map to explore geographics
