Stationary Contemplation: Reconnecting Towns by Rail
Matthew Dalziel’s project Stationery Contemplation: Reconnecting Towns by Rail (Studio 5 2008/09) was nominated for the RIBA Bronze medal and received a commendation in the AF Student Awards. It will be on exhibition this coming October at the Architecture Foundation.
A century after the ‘mania years’ of the 1850’s when Britain’s railways grew to 7500 miles of track in under decade, the nationalized railways of post-war Britain underwent the most severe cutbacks ever inflicted on a modern transport system. Nearly a third of Britain’s lines were cut, either by the heavy hand of the infamous Dr Beaching or by an ever-growing enthusiasm for the road. At the heart of these cuts were the branch lines that provided connections to the nations rural communities, but along the way a handful of major connections were shortened and great stations like Marylebone were threatened.
In its heyday Uckfield sat proudly as a major stop along the Wealden line that ran from Lewes to Tunbridge wells. But, in the 1950’s a new motorway project at Lewes lead to the closure of the final 7 miles of track, transforming a once dignified Victorian station into an isolated terminus moments from the south coast and miles from London.
Like many lines serving towns of this size, the stations had an important impact on the town centre. While serving their obvious function as a direct connection to the outside world, stations like Uckfield sat in the centre of the town and were, in many ways, the keystone of the town’s public space. In some cases change of use have been sensitive and hotels or tourist boards have taken over. But, in many more cases the stations have been lost all together and the towns left with a scar at their centre.
Today, due to growing passenger numbers and soaring fuel costs Britain’s railways are undergoing a renaissance, and the reinstatement of old connections is becoming a real possibility. In the case of Lewes – Uckfield the connection would provide a second route from London to Brighton and in doing so reinvigorate Uckfields town centre.
This proposal situates its self in this promising future with a station on an historic site at the heart of town rich in railway heritage. In its undulating roof-scape and civic ticket hall the new station at Uckfield looks back to its Victorian ancestry and forward to a new chapter for Britain’s railway.
Studio 5 , 2008/2009
Tutors: Nina Lundvall and James Payne
Guest Critics: John Glew and Peter St.John
