Bill-row builder leaves rail house'¨to cheers after two-week protest

Builder Dave Anderson from Widnes who had barricaded himself inside Ribblehead Station Master's House on one of Yorkshire's best loved railways, leaves the building after he mounted a peaceful protest against Network Rail who he claims owes him thousands of pounds after works on the property. Picture Tony Johnson.

Dave Anderson emerged from the property at Ribblehead Station on Saturday lunchtime, having sealed the windows and doors under cover of darkness on Sunday, January 22.

He was greeted by a coach-load of supporters from his home town of Widnes in Cheshire as well as his family.

The protest, previously described as his “last stand”, was the culmination of a long-running financial dispute with Network Rail.

It related to work which his building firm had carried out as part of the renovation of the station master’s house more than four years ago.

The property on the scenic Settle and Carlisle Railway underwent a significant renovation totalling around £300,000, which was completed in April 2013.

It is now leased from Network Rail by Settle and Carlisle Railway Properties Limited and marketed by The Settle and Carlisle Railway Trust as a holiday home, with rates of up to £1,095 a week.

In a statement, the trust said it was “disappointed by the unlawful occupation of the Station Master’s House”.

The trust said Mr Anderson, who had rented the property for only a week, had been told about “opportunities for pursuing these disputes directly”.

Mr Anderson previously told The Yorkshire Post that his firm – DTA Construction Ltd – had worked on the renovation project for 12 weeks.

He said he had since lodged a claim with Network Rail for more than £160,000, which he says he is owed for expenses incurred.

Other contractors attended a peaceful gathering outside the cottage on January 28, saying they too were out of pocket.

Addressing his supporters before leaving the house on Saturday, 52-year-old Mr Anderson said he would be continuing his campaign for an investigation into the alleged financial irregularities.

His one-week lease had ended on January 27 but no attempts were made to evict Mr Anderson from the property.

Network Rail had previously said it would be inappropriate to comment on the protest until they had spoken to Mr Anderson about his concerns and established the full facts.