PLANS have been lodged to repair a grade II listed signal box at a railway station in south Cumbria which is currently in ‘poor condition’.

Network Rail have submitted a planning application to the Lake District National Park Authority to carry out restorative works to the signal box at Bootle Station which dates back to the 19th century.

Planning documents submitted by the applicant describe the signal box which was constructed in 1874 as a ‘rare example’ of a Furness Railway Type one signal box and was granted listed status in 2013.

The planning statement says: “The proposals for the repair and restorative works to Bootle Signal Box provide a solution to restore a poor condition structure by making minor repair works to the existing building.”

It adds the proposed restorative works are ‘sympathetic’ to the listed building and will provide ‘much needed’ repair works to strengthen the structure.

The planning statement concludes: “The proposed works are considered to represent the optimum solution in terms of preserving the integrity of the structure with minimal impact on the historic fabric whilst still ensuring that the necessary repair works are completed.”

Amongst proposed works include rebuilding the chimney including replacing stonework in poor condition, replacing ‘deteriorated or broken’ service supports as well as the removal of the existing protective paint system and recoating with a new Network Rail approved system.

Other proposed work involves:

Takedown and rebuild of the two stone cladding panels on the west elevation

In-situ restoration of weathered cill stones.

Lifting and re-bedding of all ridge tiles.

Splice repairs to the base of 3 No. posts at first floor level.

Repointing throughout stonework of building.

This comes after a recent inspection identified ‘several defects’ to the signal box and deemed the overall condition of the building to be ‘poor’.

This planning application is under consideration by the Lake District National Park Authority.