Czech Railways will begin the renovation of the railway station in Poděbrady

Photo: fotohistorie.cz

Poděbrady (Nymburk Region) - The train station building in Poděbrady, located in the Nymburk Region, which was declared a cultural monument this year, will undergo repairs after years of neglect. Czech Railways (ČD) will commence the reconstruction soon; it was originally scheduled to start in 2013, stated the mayor of the town, Ladislav Langr (Choice for Poděbrady). The renovation will cost about 45 million crowns.
    The unique building of the Poděbrady station, shaped like a steam locomotive, was once considered the most beautiful train station in the Czech Republic. Designed in the Functionalist style by architect Vojtěch Krch, it was put into operation in 1932.
    Today, the station building of the spa town is in very poor condition. "Half of the entrance and exit doors are chained shut because they cannot be closed, water seeps into the building, the plaster is falling off, and the pavement is broken," described the situation Langr.
    When the station was declared the 24th monument in Poděbrady this year, the mayor began intensive negotiations with Czech Railways regarding the reconstruction. "ČD has been accommodating to us, and with the March decision of the board, they changed their plans for the station reconstruction, which was supposed to take place sometime between 2013 and 2014, and Poděbrady was prioritized," added Langr.
    Paradoxically, however, the whole reconstruction has been delayed precisely because of the protected status of the building. According to the mayor, the start of the reconstruction has been postponed due to the requirements from the heritage conservationists.
    In the meantime, the city, together with ČD, has cleaned the immediate surroundings, provided new bicycle racks at the station, and plans to improve the area in front of the station next year. They also had the station underpass painted in a street art style with themes related to Poděbrady and repaired the lighting.