This problem is old and of unknown status.

Derelict buildings with historical interest

Reported anonymously at 17:47, Sun 6 December 2009
Sent to Kent County Council and Thanet District Council 3 minutes later

To whom it may concern,

following a year length personal study of dilapidation, I, a researcher and founder of the 'Save Broadstairs Cliff Railway' group, write to you with public visibility to validate concerns on the state of the area adjacent to the stairs below the Albion Hotel.

My own research without a professional structural surveyor, is laid here for thoughts, however I would benefit greatly from professional sources who fully know about the old railway and the history of the building next to it as well as a council inspection. I am also looking for a contact that can provide access to historical documents or a contact that can provide legal temporary access to the shaft for inspection and surveying.

The group's top concern is currently targeted at the surviving lower station building and the shaft. Something interesting of note is that the area is inside the conservation boundary. I don't know what this means exactly and how buildings in the area are protected, I will research.

A personal inspection of the station building suggests ground movement with two large cracks in the both sides of the structure's lower supporting wall. They have surfaced in the last decade potentially made worse by strong winds and any potential water leaks. I am aware that restoration of the railway in 1991 was destroyed by a structural leak, however I have no further knowledge about how the shaft has been sealed since.

Furthermore as of January - December 2009 I have noticed a large amount of the roof material disappear with some left to break apart on the ground below. The material which has been breaking off in bits, sparks a resemblance to asbestos which could be a hazard.

I am not aware on the security cover of the area but vandalism is surprisingly not too apparent. However further deterioration may attract strong vandalism or arson, of which could potentially make threat to the promenade above, unless the old shaft is completely sealed from the station building.

We are unsure whether the lift's car has been removed or of it's condition. We would respect legal permission to open the shaft for inspection with a professional surveyor appointed to survey the shaft and check for ground movement and the condition of anything that survives.

The adjacent building below the Albion Hotel is also part of our overall concern, however we do not know the history of the building other than it out-dates the railway but not the stairs.

The old shelter on the right and it's supporting wall, we believe is in good condition with a fairly modern roof replacement however benches and any other originals have been removed making the use of the shelter redundant other than a dumping ground. In September, there were 2 dumped sofas in there.

Overall - the area is largely unattractive and perhaps a hazard with falling roof material and further potential ground movement or structural leaks bringing the station building to collapse and therefore leaving the old shaft exposed.

Future use of the buildings could be put under discussion, however we feel that we must protect the railway and any future use must make use of it in it's original form.

I hereby submit my concern to you and hope to learn more about these historical buildings and how it would be best to save them or generate support for future use.

Thank you.

With Regards, *** *** Save Broadstairs Cliff Railway.

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