A NEW rail building has been proposed for Burnley’s Manchester Road terminal — after it was decided demolition was the only option for the former station house.

Earlier this year proposals to convert the original station building into a new ticket office were approved by borough planners.

But since then architects have been back to the drawing board and advised that too much work was needed on the old building, used latterly by Express Dairies, to make it reusable.

Architect Aaron Francis, of Manchester-based firm SBS, said: “The proposed scheme will provide an energy efficient building whilst suiting the current requirements and functions of a modern-day rail facility. This could not be provided within the constraints of the existing façade arrangement of windows and doors.

“The significant structural works and demolishing or rebuilding required to the existing building, to provide covered waiting areas externally to the building, would retain only minimal areas of external facades without being rebuilt.”

While the building is locally listed, it has no other significant status, say architects.

Like the previous bid, manned ticket facilities will be provided, alongside a community room for community rail partnership and other meetings, and public toilets.

New waiting shelters will be installed on both the Blackburn and Hebden Bridge bound platforms with a 55-space car park, cycle rack and CCTV.

Reclaimed stone blocks will be used in the construction to fit in with the local area.

The Lancashire Telegraph revealed last week that passenger services to Manchester will now run from May 2014.