STOCKTON Borough Council has defended itself against criticism it is not doing enough to preserve its railway heritage.

Residents posting on a Stockton heritage Facebook page hit out at the authority for neglecting Bridge House, on the corner at St John's Crossing, which was reputedly the world's first railway ticket office for the Stockton and Darlington railway.

Critics said they were considering getting together a petition to turn the building into a museum, and argued it should be celebrated as part of a heritage trail.

Bridge House Mission, a homeless charity, has owned the building for over 30 years and has restored it from near ruin.

It's manager Gavin Willey said: "I was angry to read the criticism because this is our building, we own it, and we work closely with the listed buildings department in the council to keep it in good shape.

"We are proud of our building and the work we do here.

"The day before I read the comments online I had had people from the Highways and from the council here discussing what to do about some of the land outside and how to improve it.

He said an old commemorative plaque had been recovered and was being restored to put on the outside of the building.

It is not known categorically whether the building was a ticket office for the world's first passenger railway but it was a weigh house for coal going past on the tracks.

Ken Dixon, Stockton Council’s Cabinet Member for Arts, Leisure and Culture, said: “You only need look at the stunning artwork depicting the inaugural journey of Locomotion No 1 at St John’s Crossing to see how proud we are of our railway heritage in Stockton.

"On the opposite side of the carriageway, the role played by 48 Bridge Road during the life of the railway is celebrated with a complementary artwork and information plinth."

There was railway-themed artwork in the town centre and plans to commemorate the original line through Preston Park.

“We place great emphasis on celebrating our railway and wider engineering achievements so that, while moving forward, we do not forget our proud past," he added.