JUST months after a $100,000 restoration, an historic railway signal box in Humffray Street North has again been vandalised.
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Rail authority VicTrack has pledged to again repaint the signal box at the edge of the level crossing and urged anyone with information about the damage to contact police.
VicTrack spokesperson Nicola Holland said the graffiti attack followed a complete restoration of the signal box in September, with repairs to the roof, plumbing works, weatherboards and stairs.
New glass and stainless steel window screens were also installed.
“We are very disappointed that signal box C has been the target of graffiti once again, particularly after the cost and the many hours of work that went into restoring it,” she said.
“We have spoken with the Ballarat City Council and with
V/Line and informed them that we will be repainting the damaged sections of the signal box.”
Heritage campaigners called for action to protect Ballarat’s historic infrastructure in April after arsonists all but destroyed an 1880s signal box in Soldiers Hill.
What remained of the structure was demolished following the fire, after restoration was deemed impossible.
In July, restoration works on the nearby signal box B in Lydiard Street North were announced by the City of Ballarat.
Ms Holland said repair work was yet to be scheduled.
“We are working closely with
V/Line to find an appropriate date for this repainting to be carried out, as safe working legislation requires that it be done when rail services are suspended,” she said.
Anyone with information about the graffiti vandalism can contact Ballarat Police on 5336 6000.
thomas.mcilroy@thecourier.com.au