CRITICS of Great Yarmouth Railway Station have been challenged to take action to improve its appearance.Businessman Spencer McCormack says he is ready and willing to help clean up the train terminal if others will agree to join him.
CRITICS of Great Yarmouth Railway Station have been challenged to take action to improve its appearance.
Businessman Spencer McCormack says he is ready and willing to help clean up the train terminal if others will agree to join him.
Mr McCormack's call follows last month's launch of the Fix Yarmouth station campaign which has attracted nearly 1,700 supporters.
The health club director told the Mercury this week that he would be prepared to organise an event to raise money to smarten up the station.
Run by operator National Express East Anglia, the station is described as having grotty loos, broken windows and minimal facilities.
Mr McCormack, who runs Bwell health clubs at Hemsby and the James Paget University Hospital, said: “I don't use the station, but am concerned that the bad publicity surrounding it will put people off visiting the town.
“I went down there this week and it just needs a bit of colour to make it more welcoming and I am happy to help raise money to give it a face lift.
“Some of the points the critics are raising I agree with, but as a businessman appreciate just how much things cost.
“I would consider arranging something like an indoor race night or charity walk and my team of staff, friends and family are prepared to get behind me.
“Obviously we will have to speak to the station owners to find out if this is possible, but my main bugbear is that people are just moaning rather than trying to do anything about it.”
The campaign on social networking website Facebook and online petition has been spearheaded by prospective Conservative candidate for Yarmouth Brandon Lewis.
Work started this week on �70,000 pedestrian and cycle link to the station from Acle New Road and rail chiefs are looking at ways of brightening the station.
Mr Lewis recently met bosses from Network Rail, National Express East Anglia and the Great Yarmouth Area Station Manager to discuss campaign.
He said: The representatives agreed that Great Yarmouth train station needs improving and they have agreed to put in new plants and to see if they can find money to tidy up the weeds on the approach to the station.
They have also agreed to meet with the borough and county council to look at the mid-term and long term options for improvements.”
Visit www.fixourstation.com and join the Facebook group by searching for Fix Great Yarmouth Station.
Anyone interested in helping Mr McCormack arrange a fundraising event should call 01493 452684.
HaHappy
H
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here