Demolition of Northumberland railway building a 'last resort' but 'economically sensible', says Network Rail

Bedlington Station is founded on the Ironworks, Mining and the Railway. Each of these have significant cultural and historical value but it is disappointing so little is done to preserve and maintain this heritage.

The first photo below shows the only building remaining of the ironworks that has been there for around 260 years. The openings were bricked up many years ago. The building is still there but almost covered in vegetation. In a couple of years, it will be completely covered and forgotten about.

Bedlington ‘A’ Colliery operated for about 130 years and closed in 1971. I don’t see any display, sculpture or even a poster relating to the colliery anywhere. I have attached a photo to show what they have done in Ashington to recognize the importance of mining to that town’s history.  

The station opened in about 1850 and the superb photo below shows the station in its prime. There are even flower beds on the platform! This is the building they are planning to demolish despite the efforts of the Victorian Society. Instead of looking for ways to preserve the building they look for reasons to knock it down.

With the Ironworks building completely covered with vegetation, the existence of the colliery ignored, and the railway station demolished there will be no tangible links of our amazing historical legacy left for future generations.