OriginalRobboFOX Posted 12 October 2009 Posted 12 October 2009 My old dear works for the council and has contact with the guy in charge of demolition. It is unsafe, mostly structurally. English Heritage and another couple of restoration charities looked into saving it but when they realised that all the foundations were completely rotten they pulled out as it would cost a phenomenal amount of money to make good. End of. I liked it and thought highly of it etc. but at the end of the day it serves no purpose and if it is unsafe whats the problem?
Bellend Sebastian Posted 12 October 2009 Posted 12 October 2009 The pro-bridge campaigners were never convinced by the structural report the Council had done that said that it was barely supporting its own weight, although whether they actually had grounds for this or it's the usual conspiracy guff I've no idea. The claim I hear bandied around most often is that the cost of repairs quoted (which was hundreds of thousands of pounds, if not over a million) was for restoring the bridge to its original state, the argument being that this is silly as it doesn't need to be restored to its original state as no-one's expecting it to carry any trains anytime soon. If the demolition firm confirm the report's findings they should sing it from the rooftops, because a lot of the campaigners seem to have convinced themselves that a couple of coats of Hammerite would have sorted it out
Jon the Hat Posted 12 October 2009 Posted 12 October 2009 Amazing. Who would have thought that years and years of neglect would leave an old bridge at risk of collapse. You couldn't make it up.
Bellend Sebastian Posted 12 October 2009 Posted 12 October 2009 It's shoddy Victorian workmanship that's to blame. They built my house as well, it's shit
lou Posted 12 October 2009 Posted 12 October 2009 My old dear works for the council and has contact with the guy in charge of demolition. It is unsafe, mostly structurally. English Heritage and another couple of restoration charities looked into saving it but when they realised that all the foundations were completely rotten they pulled out as it would cost a phenomenal amount of money to make good. End of.I liked it and thought highly of it etc. but at the end of the day it serves no purpose and if it is unsafe whats the problem? The pro-bridge campaigners were never convinced by the structural report the Council had done that said that it was barely supporting its own weight, although whether they actually had grounds for this or it's the usual conspiracy guff I've no idea. The claim I hear bandied around most often is that the cost of repairs quoted (which was hundreds of thousands of pounds, if not over a million) was for restoring the bridge to its original state, the argument being that this is silly as it doesn't need to be restored to its original state as no-one's expecting it to carry any trains anytime soon.If the demolition firm confirm the report's findings they should sing it from the rooftops, because a lot of the campaigners seem to have convinced themselves that a couple of coats of Hammerite would have sorted it out So people have been allowed to drive/walk/cycle under this bridge that was barely holding itself up for years then? Yeah right!! Its total bollocks. This is all about making money.
Sparky Posted 12 October 2009 Posted 12 October 2009 My disappointment is more towards losing the Pump and Tap which is a fantastic traditional boozer.
Lillehamring Posted 12 October 2009 Posted 12 October 2009 the reality is, the council and dmu will always get their way... no attempt seems to have been made to find altermative solutions. neither of them can ever be replaced, as with all the other buildings that have been demolished. and the real shame is that none of these demolished buildings have been replaced with buildings of even the most basic architectural merit. cheap solutions and cheap replacements.
DANGEROUS TIGER Posted 13 October 2009 Posted 13 October 2009 Let's be honest, the Council doesn't give a stuff for preservation or conservation. It's only interested in how much it can make out of a site. People who care about such things, like myself, can just f--k off, as far as they are concerned. What a sad world!
CosbehFox Posted 13 October 2009 Posted 13 October 2009 Let's be honest, the Council doesn't give a stuff for preservation or conservation. So you'd be happy if the council spent £3 million of taxpayers on the likes of Braunstone Hall? Only for them to be repeated abused and vandalised by total and utter idiots who live in the area? I can assure the Council are too much heavy on the conservation side of things and this stifles the opportunity to preserve and upkeep many properties. There just isn't enough money in the pot to uptain some of these buildings to their listing standing. To add to it, most of the locals/kids repeated trash/dump/break into a number of derelict properties, not concerned that they bring a slur on their community. In terms of funding the finance of upkeeping these building it's very difficult at the minute to get central government to co-operate as they are commiting most of the capital money to schools and Surestarts sadly. That said, the management of some properties has been frankly disgusting but I can understand the constrains and factors that the person responsible for these buildings have to face. It's basically the collective corporate face which is collaring all the money who wants the council to cop it's money (so in a way I pretty much agree with you). The closure of the bridge and the road underneath it are pretty much doubling everyone's travel time around rush hour.
Bellend Sebastian Posted 13 October 2009 Posted 13 October 2009 Let's be honest, the Council doesn't give a stuff for preservation or conservation. It's only interested in how much it can make out of a site. People who care about such things, like myself, can just f--k off, as far as they are concerned. What a sad world! Join the Civic Society if you haven't already
davieG Posted 28 October 2009 Author Posted 28 October 2009 A historic pub is to close next month before "likely" demolition to make way for a controversial sports centre. Owners De Montfort University have told staff at the Pump and Tap in Leicester's West End to be out by Friday, November 27. It is understood the pub could be shut by Monday, November 23. The news comes after demolition work started on the neighbouring Bowstring railway bridge to make way for the university leisure centre and pool, despite a hard-fought campaign to save it. It will mean the end of an era for the pub's regulars, and leave 10 staff out of work. Campaigners have always feared the pub was at risk, despite the university saying last August that plans to knock it down had not been finalised. John Husain, who has run the pub with his brother, Andy, for 20 years, said he was "sickened and saddened" by the speed of the closure. He was told last week the university would not be renewing the pub's two-year lease. He said he had always expected to be given three months' notice, but because the lease was ending that no longer applied. He said: "This seems grossly unfair on staff, our regulars and on this business. "It was always on the cards, but three months would have given staff plenty of time to find other employment. This is all too sudden. "I feel a lot of sadness and emptiness about it. "Here's a viable pub in a vibrant part of the city centre – a pub which has won the affection of many local people and is known well beyond Leicester – and we're going to lose it." In a statement, the university said it sympathised, but added: "We do need to move forward with our plan to develop the sports centre now that the city council is taking down the bridge. "This is why we have given the tenants advanced notice that we will not be renewing their lease. "While the final plans have not been developed, it's likely that the site currently occupied by the Pump and Tap will form part of the newly-developed sports centre." Mr Husain said the freehold was sold to the university for £275,000 six years ago after his plans to redevelop the area around the pub fell through. He and his brother previously owned the building, in Duns Lane, for about 15 years. He said: "I very much regret selling it now. Maybe it sounds naive, but I never envisaged then that the pub would be demolished." Mr Husain said he had pleaded with the university to allow the pub to stay open until at least the new year. Stuart Bailey, chairman of Leicester Civic Society, said: "DMU has been utterly heartless about this. "There's no need for them to act this fast."
Guest Bilo Posted 28 October 2009 Posted 28 October 2009 A historic pub is to close next month before "likely" demolition to make way for a controversial sports centre. Owners De Montfort University have told staff at the Pump and Tap in Leicester's West End to be out by Friday, November 27. It is understood the pub could be shut by Monday, November 23. The news comes after demolition work started on the neighbouring Bowstring railway bridge to make way for the university leisure centre and pool, despite a hard-fought campaign to save it. It will mean the end of an era for the pub's regulars, and leave 10 staff out of work. Campaigners have always feared the pub was at risk, despite the university saying last August that plans to knock it down had not been finalised. John Husain, who has run the pub with his brother, Andy, for 20 years, said he was "sickened and saddened" by the speed of the closure. He was told last week the university would not be renewing the pub's two-year lease. He said he had always expected to be given three months' notice, but because the lease was ending that no longer applied. He said: "This seems grossly unfair on staff, our regulars and on this business. "It was always on the cards, but three months would have given staff plenty of time to find other employment. This is all too sudden. "I feel a lot of sadness and emptiness about it. "Here's a viable pub in a vibrant part of the city centre – a pub which has won the affection of many local people and is known well beyond Leicester – and we're going to lose it." In a statement, the university said it sympathised, but added: "We do need to move forward with our plan to develop the sports centre now that the city council is taking down the bridge. "This is why we have given the tenants advanced notice that we will not be renewing their lease. "While the final plans have not been developed, it's likely that the site currently occupied by the Pump and Tap will form part of the newly-developed sports centre." Mr Husain said the freehold was sold to the university for £275,000 six years ago after his plans to redevelop the area around the pub fell through. He and his brother previously owned the building, in Duns Lane, for about 15 years. He said: "I very much regret selling it now. Maybe it sounds naive, but I never envisaged then that the pub would be demolished." Mr Husain said he had pleaded with the university to allow the pub to stay open until at least the new year. Stuart Bailey, chairman of Leicester Civic Society, said: "DMU has been utterly heartless about this. "There's no need for them to act this fast." I'm more saddened by this than anything else. A cracking little pub and a nice alternative to yet another Scream outlet. How big must the new sports centre be to make the demolition of the Pump & Tap necessary? Will have to pay a few visits to the place while I still have the chance, give it a decent send-off but this is something I will actually miss.
davieG Posted 28 October 2009 Author Posted 28 October 2009 I'm more saddened by this than anything else. A cracking little pub and a nice alternative to yet another Scream outlet. How big must the new sports centre be to make the demolition of the Pump & Tap necessary? Will have to pay a few visits to the place while I still have the chance, give it a decent send-off but this is something I will actually miss. I know it's all be said before but this applies even more to the actual bridge as they're not going to build the centre across the road.
lou Posted 28 October 2009 Posted 28 October 2009 I'm more saddened by this than anything else. A cracking little pub and a nice alternative to yet another Scream outlet. How big must the new sports centre be to make the demolition of the Pump & Tap necessary? Will have to pay a few visits to the place while I still have the chance, give it a decent send-off but this is something I will actually miss. Ive heard its smaller that the Sandford centre
Guest Bilo Posted 28 October 2009 Posted 28 October 2009 Ive heard its smaller that the Sandford centre With a swimming pool included?! Reeeediculousssssssss
lou Posted 28 October 2009 Posted 28 October 2009 With a swimming pool included?! Reeeediculousssssssss Well when they said swimming pool......
Guest Bilo Posted 28 October 2009 Posted 28 October 2009 Well when they said swimming pool...... I'll get DMUsed to it I suppose. (See what I did there??)
Lillehamring Posted 19 November 2009 Posted 19 November 2009 citizens of leicester with a nervous disposition, look away... LCC working for you (historic) this actually makes me feel a little bit unwell
lou Posted 19 November 2009 Posted 19 November 2009 Sickening. Oh well its the last Saturday for the Pump and Tap this weekend so Im off to celebrate my Birthday there one last time
Sir Fynwy Posted 19 November 2009 Posted 19 November 2009 Sickening. Oh well its the last Saturday for the Pump and Tap this weekend so Im off to celebrate my Birthday there one last time At least we have an excuse for a good old piss up on Saturday
lou Posted 19 November 2009 Posted 19 November 2009 At least we have an excuse for a good old piss up on Saturday 2 excuses (P & T shutting and my birthday) so double the piss up!!
Houdini Logic Posted 19 November 2009 Posted 19 November 2009 Why do people get nostalgic/defensive about things just because they are old? I'm sure many more people will get enjoyment out of the new sports centre/swimming pool than they would a bridge
Zingari Posted 19 November 2009 Posted 19 November 2009 Why do people get nostalgic/defensive about things just because they are old?I'm sure many more people will get enjoyment out of the new sports centre/swimming pool than they would a bridge actually i thought they were fvcking ugly monstrosities , but we have to carp on about summat when we get old
Houdini Logic Posted 19 November 2009 Posted 19 November 2009 actually i thought they were fvcking ugly monstrosities , but we have to carp on about summat when we get old Hear, hear What even happened to the slave trade? Destroyed our heritage getting rid of that...
Zingari Posted 19 November 2009 Posted 19 November 2009 Hear, hearWhat even happened to the slave trade? Destroyed our heritage getting rid of that... when did it stop ? no fecker told me i was free
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.