A beloved 1950s bus shelter that survived demolition thanks to an extraordinary sit-in protest has returned to the chopping block in a shock turn of events.
Sheringham Town Council is to look at pressing on with a £580,000 plan to demolish the town's bus shelter off Station Approach.
The shock news comes just months after locals claimed a stunning victory against Norfolk County Council's original plans to bulldoze it.
The town council has argued that knocking it down is now the most economical option available, recommending demolition over other choices including moving the shelter brick by brick to a new site.
The proposals, due to be discussed on Tuesday at an extraordinary town council meeting, are set to spark outrage in the coastal town from those who campaigned to protect it.
In December, pensioners camped out for nine days in freezing temperatures after Norfolk County Council moved in to carry out plans for a new £580,000 travel hub, which the council argued was necessary to improve transport links in the town.
However, locals fought to protect the landmark and its much-loved mural of a steam train passing through fields of poppies, painted on the side of the shelter by local artist Colin Seal in tribute to the town's old railway line.
The protesters ultimately won, in events which culminated in a tense public meeting where councillors voted 6-5 to throw out the demolition plans.
Sheringham Town Council, which owns the site, has now pushed for the shelter to be knocked down in line with the original plans.
It states that the collapse of the original £580,000 travel hub scheme has left it in breach of contract with Norfolk County Council, and also in breach of covenants agreed with North Norfolk Railway - which owns neighbouring land and could legally reclaim it if the dispute is not resolved.
It says the bus stop is now completely out of action, with no buses able to stop in the town centre, which has prompted complaints from Sanders Coaches.
The primary option being recommended to town councillors would see the shelter demolished and the travel hub carried out as originally planned, at a cost of just under £4,000 to the town authority.
It says it has already spent more than £20,000 since the decision was made in December, and reverting to the scheme would be "the most economical option to the council".
The council has also put forward other options for the future of the shelter, including one plan which could see it rebuilt brick by brick or picked up as a whole unit elsewhere in town.
Documents state this would cost £100,000 and would require specialist input.
Another option would see the shelter and its surrounding areas modified to work within the new plans.
This could include widening pavements and adjusting the shelter's roof.
A potential design had also been produced by a member of the public, but this has been deemed unsuitable for the site by Norfolk County Council and will not be taken forward.
Sheringham Town Council has said it must provide the county council with a final decision by June 26, which has prompted the extraordinary meeting.
Papers for the meeting say: "Reverting to the original scheme is the most economical solution to Sheringham Town Council, and would be the swiftest to complete."
The county council had proposed the £580,000 hub scheme to improve transport in the town.
Town councillors will meet on Tuesday, June 23 at 7pm.
Share