Teenager's injury forces part closure of new plaza at Skegness station

A SECTION of the new £720,000 plaza at Skegness railway station was roped off at the weekend, just weeks after opening.

A series of double-backed stone wave sculptures on one side of the station frontage were cordoned off after a youngster was injured while playing in the area on Friday afternoon.

The area has since reopened and East Midlands Trains, which manages the site, said although temporary signage is already in place, permanent warnings are to be put up shortly advising people to keep off the features.

A spokesman said: "We understand that a teenage boy was injured on Friday evening whilst riding his bike over the new concrete wave sculptures at the front of Skegness station, and was subsequently treated at Pilgrim Hospital in Boston.

Turf and Soil Supplied and Laid

BCS Ltd Turf

View details

Print voucher

bcs

Contact: 01522 705130

Valid until: Saturday, June 29 2013

"Our immediate thoughts are with the boy who has been injured, and we wish him all the best for a quick recovery.

"East Midlands Trains has worked in partnership with Lincolnshire County Council and Network Rail to develop a new and welcoming station plaza for Skegness, with a design that reflects the local area. It is therefore disappointing that some people are misusing the new space and sculptures.

"We will be looking to work with Lincolnshire County Council and Network Rail to identify any opportunities to prevent future misuse of the new plaza."

Concerns had been raised that the area could be a magnet for anti-social behaviour and drinking before it even opened.

Councillor Carl Macey had put the issue to Neighbourhood Policing Sergeant, Jim Manning at last month's Skegness town council meeting who assured him Lincolnshire Police would be working closely with British Transport Police and station security staff to tackle any issues.

The plaza at the station marked the completion of a major refurbishment project which saw the derelict railway buildings removed and the site levelled.

Now, the site is bordered by glass screens on approach to the station platform, and the area has been landscaped with a large metal sandcastle, benches and a greeting sign for passengers arriving by rail.

The works cost a total of £720,000 which was funded jointly by the European Union through the European Regional Development Fund, Network Rail's National Stations Improvement Programme, East Midlands Trains and Lincolnshire County Council.