Fury over Sale of railway sleepers
09 July 2013
The railway sleepers at the pocket park in Finedon could be sold-off by Finedon Parish Council!
Concerns have been raised over the future of several hundred railway sleepers at a pocket park. Members of Finedon Parish Council discussed selling the 400 railway sleepers at a recent meeting after being told by a workman that they could be sold for a healthy profit. One theory is that the railway sleepers could be bought by Rushden Historical Transport Society. But the controversial plan has outraged residents who say the railway sleepers, which formed part of the old disused railway line, belong at the park.
Leanne Knighton, of St Mary’s Avenue, Finedon, said: “I’m utterly disgusted at the thought of Finedon Parish Council removing these superb railway sleepers from the pocket park in Finedon. Plans to remove 400 railway sleepers from the magical walk in our pocket park is absurd. Having the idea to sell the railway sleepers to the Rushden Historical Transport Society would suggest they are of historic interest and should be kept where they are in Finedon. The parish council should concentrate on solving anti-social behaviour.”
Philip Desborough, of Hayden Avenue, added: “The old railway line within the park makes it unique and removing the sleepers would not only be an historical loss to the park but have a huge impact on the wildlife living there. I feel, along with many other residents, that this would be a great loss to the pocket park and Finedon.”
The parish council has confirmed that the idea has been discussed but said nothing had been confirmed and no talks had yet been held with the historical society. Parish clerk Emma Baker said: “It was suggested to us the railway sleepers could be worth some money and it was brought up at a meeting but it hasn’t moved on from there.”