On 24 July, Správa železniční dopravní cesty (SŽDC) handed over a repaired station building to representatives of the city of Loket. Many tourists travel to the city by train, especially in summer; they now have a modern railway station at their disposal. By completely repairing the historical building, SŽDC has made a contribution to enhancing travel culture in the Karlovy Vary region.
The reconstruction work began at the end of last year at a cost of over 5.3 million CZK. The building acquired a new façade, the roof was repaired and all windows and doors were replaced. This will ensure that the station serves passengers for dozens of years to come. The “Junák” tourist association is located on the ground floor of the historic building. SŽDC also led discussions with city representatives on further use of the building. The premises in front of the station will be refurbished as the final stage of works on the building. These refurbishment efforts are being prepared by Loket city hall and will provide facilities for changing trains and parking to serve citizens and visitors to the city.
”I am pleased that life can gradually return to the repaired station buildings. In some regions, offices of the Czech Police are already situated at railway stations; elsewhere we negotiate on office lease with financial control bodies, for example. Here in Loket, the local tourists created their clubroom in the building. Passenger buildings thus regain their original importance from times when they served not only as a waiting room for trains but also as important centres for social events”, says Mr Tomáš Drmola, Deputy Director General for Assets Management.
Loket station serves 280 passengers daily on average. During the summer months in particular, it is an important transport node on tourist routes for water sportsmen and cyclists using regional cycling roads, as well as other visitors to the city of Loket. They come to see the listed buildings in the city centre, as well as a unique amphitheatre in which numerous cultural events take place. The railway station thus serves as an important transport connection.
Last week, SŽDC completed repairs of a passenger building at Kynšperk nad Ohří in the Karlovy Vary region, a project priced at almost 8 million CZK. The most important project in the region involves repair of the passenger building at Sokolov railway station, due to be completed in September.
(Source: SZDC)
