NS1968 : Wemyss Bay pier
taken 6 years ago, near to Upper Skelmorlie, North Ayrshire, Scotland
The station dates from 1865, but the current station building dates from 1903, it is Category A Listed Link and was designed by prolific Scottish railway architect James Miller Link .
An earlier major repair and restoration project in 1994 is commonly regarded as flawed, as signs of rust and roof leakage appeared almost immediately after completion and worsened over the years to give the station a neglected and inhospitable appearance.
Fortunately, the station is now undergoing extensive renovation works which have entailed closure of one of the two working platforms and a reduction of the other. This is to enable around the clock working in a safe environment, with the overhead line electric power switched off at these sections.
At the time of writing (May 2015) much of the station is covered by a network of scaffolding and plastic "stretch-wrap" material to create "encapsulated painting zones" which enabled work to continue throughout the winter. The extensive scaffolding has been carefully planned and constructed in such a way as to enable safe public access to the station, pier and car park at all times.
In addition to shot-blasting and repainting of the extensive station roof, canopies and supporting columns, the roof tiles are being replaced due to their age. Substantial strengthening of the building structure and various other internal and external building works are also taking place, including a new access system to the canopies, presumably for maintenance purposes. This Link to the contractor's web site provides some interesting information about the renovation.
The work is being carried out by the Spencer Group Link .
Friends of Wemyss Bay Station group Link .