Eco train station set for go-ahead

12:13pm Tuesday 3rd July 2007

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A £2.5million plan to build one of the country's most eco-friendly train stations looks likely to be approved.

The scheme will see Accrington station knocked down and rebuilt using "green" materials.

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The building would have an electricity-generating wind turbine and would use rainwater in its bathrooms.

The so-called "eco-station" would also use roof solar panels to heat water.

Lancashire County Council drew up plans for the site, off Blackburn Road and Eagle Street.

Its development control committee is recommended to approve them today.

The plans show the ticket office and waiting room will be rebuilt on the west-bound Blackburn direction of the line.

The building mirrors a development at Liverpool South Parkway which last year won the Innovation Award at Network Rail's annual environment awards.

Richard Watts, the county council's rail project manager said: "It is a very exciting project.

"We want Accrington to be a flagship of how to build in a green way.

"It will be constructed using the best environmental principles.

"We hope it will be more innovative than Liverpool South Parkway."

He said in addition to the green features, materials used in the building would be locally and naturally produced and have a low carbon footprint.

Changes at the site would also include improvements to pedestrian access and the car park.

The footbridge will be rebuilt to allow people coming from a Blackburn direction easier access into Accrington town centre.

Mr Watts said the building would cost about £400,000 but costs in creating a new bridge and car park would see the price rise to more than £2million.

If plans are approved, work could begin next year and it would take 18 months.