Council mulls train ‘visual attraction’ at Motte & Bailey
The historic site, opposite Tesco, has become a bugbear for the local authority who adopted it on a long lease over a decade ago and is now stuck with the crumbling facility for many years to come.
But there appears to be fresh wind in the sails about what to do with the site after it was revealed this week that the Probation Service was helping to maintain the site, and there were ideas about maximising its location as an entry point to the town.
It was revealed at this week’s Town Council Operations and Development Committee meeting that CCTV would be installed on the site soon to reduce vandalism, but there were more encouraging updates about its maintenance and future.
Town Clerk, Richard Williams, reassured councillors that the site was now fully insured following an inspection with the insurers, and the Mayor, Cllr Phil Owen, said that the site was “looking great at the moment” thanks to the work of the Town Council’s operations team.
Mr Williams said that the Probation Service would also be carrying out work on the site as part of their Community Payback Scheme.
He then added: “We are in negotiations with the Welshpool & Llanfair Light Railway (W&LLR) about putting something on the rails next to the sidings which would be a great visual attraction for people coming to the town centre.
“It is a gateway to the town and putting a train on there would make it clear that the town is known for its rail heritage.”
Health and safety concerns were raised that it could become an issue with people climbing on such an attraction, but Cllr Owen stressed: “It would be a visual attraction rather than a visitors’ attraction.”
Mr Williams added that it would only be done in a way that would be safe.
Councillors agreed to keep looking at what can be done with the site, and that discussions with W&LLR should continue.
PICTURE: A stock picture taken over 15 years ago of the Motte & Bailey site opposite Tesco.
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