Maldon East Railway Station (EHER 15072)

A former railway station, built in 1848 for the Maldon, Witham and Braintree Railway (EHER 18507), closed in 1964 and since converted to offices. It is built, in Jacobean style, from red/brown brickwork with dressings of Gault brickwork, stucco and ashlar. The building is two storeys with attics and retains the former station platform canopy to the rear.

August 1969. Grade II listed. A former railway station, now converted to offices. It was built in 1846 for the Eastern Counties Railway Company. The building is constructed, in Jacobean style, from red/brown brick with Gault brick, stucco and ashlar dressings. It is two storeys with attics and retains its former station platform canopy to the rear. The main block consists of two identical pavilions linked by a projecting arcade and balcony with a low linking wall above. The front elevation of each pavilion is surmounted by a Flemish gable with narrow slit window and corner parapets. The projecting nine-bay arcade has square stuccoed piers with capitals supporting semicircular arches, and single arches complete the return flanks of the arcade. The ground floor elevation, recessed behind the colonnade is all of Gault brick. The north-west and south-east exposed flanks of the pavilions were formerly similar and have a central smaller Flemish gable. The rear platform has a fretted canopy supported on cast-iron columns. Internally, the building is much altered but fine timber roof structures survive. <1> See photos <2>. Former Maldon East railway station. <3> OS 1st edition 6" series. <4> Of the two branch lines which terminated at Maldon, Maldon East and Heybridge Station (the terminus for the Maldon, Witham and Braintree Railway Co. line) one is located within the area of study. Closed to all traffic in 1966, a number of buildings associated with the railway are extant including the ornate passenger station, goods shed and engine shed, although the new A130 bypass follows the course of the railway line itself. The goods shed (EHER 48652), built in the 1850s and located to the north-west of the passenger station adjacent to Fullbridge, is a single storey red brick, double gabled building of pier and panel construction. Unfortunately an internal inspection was not possible, but the building merits further study should the opportunity arise. The engine shed (EHER 48616), located at the eastern extent of the station complex, lies adjacent to the river Blackwater. The single storey brick built structure has been incorporated into a modern warehouse and has suffered some alteration as a result. The Listed passenger station building (this record) is a highly ornate structure in the Jacobean style, erected in 1846. Built of red brick, a nine bay arcade faces the station approach with round-headed arches, plaster extrados and keystones surmounted by a brick parapet with inset plaster panels. Shaped gables with rusticated quoins, bracketed cornices and central windows rise above the outer three bays at each end of the arcade. Two moulded brick chimney stacks flank the low slate roof over the central three bays. The platform is largely intact, with cast iron columns supporting a roof of wrought iron beams and rafters. <5> Maldon East Station building still stands in all its glory although it has not always been that way. After years of neglect because of the closure, the building was near derelict until 1974 when two local businessmen restored the building and turned it into a public house and restaurant known as the 'Great Eastern'. The station's new fortune only lasted until 1976 when the business was forced to close. It is now a listed building and the platform has been enclosed with brick walls. The original pillars and roof remain and are clearly visible outside and inside through the rear windows. The site of the railway lines and good yard have now been developed and house a retail park. The front of the station has always been visible but the development has exposed the rear which is clearly visible from the car park. <6> SITE DESCRIPTION Station, red brick with stock brick dressings, front arcade of nine arches, brick balustrade, radial glazed windows on ground floor, ‘Jacobean’ chimney stacks (Photos C38, C39, C40, C41). On the west side are two iron pillars supporting the canopy, from around 1890 (Photo C42). The north side where was once the platform is now a timber yard. The station building is now offices. ARCHAEOLOGICAL POTENTIAL Excellent. SITE SIGNIFICANCE The building essentially unchanged since its building c.1848 CURRENT STATUS Listed Grade ? RECOMMENDED ACTION Maintain present listing. GRADE *** <7> NRHE data transfer: East Station. A redbrick building in Jacobean style with a nine-bay arcade facing the station approach. Built for the Maldon-Braintree line, opened 1848, it was closed to passengers in 1964 and to freight in 1966 and is now derelict. A nearby pond (partly filled) is a relic of abortive associated dock scheme. <8> Recorded by NRIM. <9> See also <10> <11> <12>.