BRCW old site destroyed by fire :(

[MetroDriver]

Those with an interest in the history of railways in the Midlands as I am must be saddened at the demise of what was left of the former Birmingham Railway Carriage & Wagon Co. Ltd site in a major fire today.... I passed the scene several times today whilst driving at work, and it's a mess

Couple of links to what happened, and what was there:

News: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-30306108

Large fire destroys Smethwick industrial estate buildings

A "severe" fire has ripped through a West Midlands industrial estate, destroying a number of businesses.

At least five units housing electrical goods, clothes and stationery supplies were affected on the site in Smethwick.

West Midlands Fire Service said a number of them were at risk of collapse.

Smoke from the blaze could be seen from miles away as fire crews worked to bring it under control.

The fire service was alerted at about 02:45 GMT and at its height 80 firefighters were involved.

History: http://www.derbysulzers.com/smethwick.html

My viewpoint each day from our trams.... https://www.flickr.com/photos/33109/4871127995/sizes/l

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

That is sad. Did the council give planning for housing on the site?
As the council in my area were talking about building houses on the Bird Eye factory site, then the factory burnt down soon afterwards.
Railway history needs to be preserved and too many sites have already been lost to various causes.

 

[RichmondCommu]

That is sad. Did the council give planning for housing on the site?
As the council in my area were talking about building houses on the Bird Eye factory site, then the factory burnt down soon afterwards.
Railway history needs to be preserved and too many sites have already been lost to various causes.

You can't beat a good old conspiracy theory on a cold winter’s night!

However not everything has been lost. For instance the Round Houses in Derby and Camden have survived and are thriving. Not to mention many of our wonderful Victorian built stations.

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

You can't beat a good old conspiracy theory on a cold winter’s night!

However not everything has been lost. For instance the Round Houses in Derby and Camden have survived and are thriving. Not to mention many of our wonderful Victorian built stations.

Talking of Derby, The old Northern Railway building near Lara Croft way is in terrible shape. The big building is disused and the roof has gone. How long before that burns down...
They are many similar places across the UK.

 

[RichmondCommu]

Talking of Derby, The old Northern Railway building near Lara Croft way is in terrible shape. The big building is disused and the roof has gone. How long before that burns down...
They are many similar places across the UK.

Yes I would agree that is a tragedy. However what makes you think that it will burn down?

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

Yes I would agree that is a tragedy. However what makes you think that it will burn down?

If any building in an urban area is left to rot for decades, it will either collapse, be demolished or be burnt possibly by bored vandals or by accident. It will not get back into a good condition unless preservation works starts if nothing is done it will hardly last forever.

 

[richw]

That is sad. Did the council give planning for housing on the site?
As the council in my area were talking about building houses on the Bird Eye factory site, then the factory burnt down soon afterwards.
Railway history needs to be preserved and too many sites have already been lost to various causes.

Similar happened here in the old derelict brewery site. Planning permission refused for demolishment and redevelopment and a few weeks later burnt to the ground.

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

Similar happened here in the old derelict brewery site. Planning permission refused for demolishment and redevelopment and a few weeks later burnt to the ground.

New building works are big business, that is why these things happen.
In Derby a woman moved her caravan ontop of the old bus station to stop it being knocked down. After a while she was threatened by scarey big guys and her caravan thrown off so building could start.

 

[RichmondCommu]

New building works are big business, that is why these things happen.
In Derby a woman moved her caravan ontop of the old bus station to stop it being knocked down. After a while she was threatened by scarey big guys and her caravan thrown off so building could start.

Given that I spent the first 18 years of my life in Derby and still have close connections to the City I'm aware of this. However the old bus station was a drafty old place and not popular with those who used it. I did wonder how often that particular lady used the bus station.

 

[ac6000cw]

Why would you want to preserve the old buildings that serve no useful purpose in the modern context ?

It's not like we haven't got enough building preservation already - why not give present-day architects a chance to show off their talents (like their predecessors who designed those Victorian buildings) ?

 

[GrimsbyPacer]

Given that I spent the first 18 years of my life in Derby and still have close connections to the City I'm aware of this. However the old bus station was a drafty old place and not popular with those who used it. I did wonder how often that particular lady used the bus station.

The new bus station was just a way to build the casino above it. I know the bus station wasn't very good in some ways. But it was very old and historic. It's like old railway stations being rebuilt causes similar concern, London Euston for example.

 

[RichmondCommu]

The new bus station was just a way to build the casino above it. I know the bus station wasn't very good in some ways. But it was very old and historic. It's like old railway stations being rebuilt causes similar concern, London Euston for example.

The old bus station wasn't good in any ways! The casino is irrelevant, the bus station was no longer fit for purpose. The greatest loss at Euston was the Doric Arch and that was a real shame.

Ideally the bus station would have been preserved else where but the concrete suffered from the same problems as Wembley did.

 

[Greeby]

On a related note. If St Modwen get their way, Wolverton Works will be completely razed to the ground. Not just the two derelict building, everything.

https://www.facebook.com/futurewolverton

I'm going along to this consultation tomorrow to raise my objections as not only will it cripple the works ability to expand the workload, and thus the workforce. There have so many houses built around the Wolverton area in the last few years, there's no need for any more.

 

[Abpj17]

On a related note. If St Modwen get their way, Wolverton Works will be completely razed to the ground. Not just the two derelict building, everything.

https://www.facebook.com/futurewolverton

I'm going along to this consultation tomorrow to raise my objections as not only will it cripple the works ability to expand the workload, and thus the workforce. There have so many houses built around the Wolverton area in the last few years, there's no need for any more.

The structural housing shortage in the UK suggests otherwise...

and on the main topic - from the article, the site wasn't derelict - businesses were in active operation there

 

[RichmondCommu]

There have so many houses built around the Wolverton area in the last few years, there's no need for any more.

Oh you think? The shortage of supply increases the price. I'm assuming here that you already own a property?