 |
Highams Park Forum
Highams Park Signal Box (its future) |
|
|
What use can we make of the Signal Box?
[Update 29MAR10: See last paragraph, at bottom of page, for latest development]
The Association’s main objective was to save the box from demolition as a well-known local landmark. There have been a number of ideas for using the inside of the box which have been waiting for the legal process to be completed. Now that we have a draft lease to sign, the Association will become liable for costs associated with the box, such as public liability insurance and maintenance. These costs could be considerable, and the Association can’t sign the lease until a reliable revenue stream has been identified which will cover them. Grants will also be needed to tidy up the interior and to install a staircase and washroom. So the question is, "where can the Association find a reliable revenue stream to cover its costs?" Unless we can find an ongoing grant, the obvious answer is to hire the box and use the fees to cover the Association’s costs. But to who, and for what purpose? The inside of the box is small. It is essentially one upstairs room which is not accessible to the physically disabled. The downstairs would comprise mainly a toilet, the staircase and a small storage area. To compensate for the small and awkward space, the box has some genuinely unique features: a marvellous central location, superb views and the sort of place that would draw people to it because of its unusual nature and "to see what it is like". The following uses have been considered by the Association: Community Use? It had always been assumed that the box would be used as a community resource (essentially a "Meeting Room") and Network Rail’s proposed lease states this. This is a nice idea in theory but it will need a committed individual, or a team of people, to administer it - taking bookings, handing out keys, collecting rental fees, and checking that the room was left secure and tidy. And the revenue generated is unlikely to be sufficient to cover the costs. Office space? Making the space available to a local business could be a good option. It would generate sufficient revenue and avoid administrative tasks for the Association. But, the space is then private and not accessible to the community, and may require changes to the proposed Lease. Cafe? The use of the box as a café is quite attractive. It has similar advantages to the "office space" idea but means the space is accessible to the community (for the price of a cup of tea). Unfortunately we have not found a local proprietor interested in this idea, and the area is already fairly well served by cafes (although not with such a unique vantage point). Safer Neighbourhoods Team Office? We explored the idea of using the box as an office for the Safer Neighbourhoods Police Teams. This seemed an ideal solution. A central location for the police, a revenue stream for the Association and the building accessible to the public to visit the SNT for a chat. Unfortunately closer examination by the police determined that it would be too costly to make the building sufficiently secure. Whilst the inside of the box needs substantial work to make it habitable, the positive side of this is that it is effectively a "blank sheet of paper" and can be customised exactly to the requirements of a future tenant. Update 29MAR10: Following much debate and investigation, the Association has brokered a deal between a local building firm and Network Rail for the building firm to refurbish the inside of the box and they will then use the box as an office. The firm is very community minded and will allow the box to be used for open days. The specialist expertise of the building firm means we can expect a high quality of internal build. This is a very good compromise, securing the future of the structure of the box whilst still allowing occasional public access. There remain some legal matters to iron out but is hoped that progress will be seen shortly. |
