Railtrack plc

Multi million pound works start on Brighton station
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date 31 July 1997
source Railtrack plc
type Press release

Railtrack's multi million pound works to Brighton station begin in earnest this weekend with the erection of scaffolding on and around the concourse in preparation for the roof replacement.

The work, announced in February as part of Railtrack's Station Regeneration Programme, will see contractors at the station for two years as they under take a complete replacement of the roof, including repair to supporting structure and underlying platforms.

Chris Jago, Director Railtrack Southern, commented: "The work at this station and others across the country is part of our regeneration programme designed to bring stations to a standard that we and our train operator colleagues can be proud of.

"The station environment is the litmus test of our stewardship of the railway for both the traveller and local community. We want the judgement to be positive and it is our intention to deliver. The travelling public who use Brighton should be able to feel they are part of a caring, clean, environmentally-friendly organisation. The station should enhance the start and finish of their journey," he added.

Railtrack's regeneration programme will see 24 stations in Sussex receive work this year to bring them into the 21st Century.

When Railtrack was formed, it inherited stations in various stages of repair and disrepair. The £1 billion regeneration programme, which will be carried out over a period of five years, plans to take in all of the UK's railway stations.

Brighton station is a grade 2* listed building built in the 1840s. Under the Brighton Gateway scheme, Railtrack, Connex South Central and the local council are working to enhance the area immediately in front of the station and give better access to the building. A proposed retail development on land adjacent to the station also offers benfits to the station with work planned to improve the access arrangements to the station carpark.

Acknowledging the two year length of the works and the need to carry out such extensive roof repairs, Tom Boyle, Connex South Central's station manager said: "Everyone involved in the project is determined to keep disruption to the station user to a minimum.

"However, complicated works cannot be done without some changes to the normal routine. I hope that the users of the station will understand the reason why the work is going on and look forward to having a station fit for the new millennium that reflects Brighton's importance as both a major town and key railway terminal"

To be able to deliver the massive programme of work in the Sussex area Railtrack has embarked on a pioneering concept of delivery with its construction partner, Kier Construction Limited.

"Jim Thompson, Kier's Project Manager said of the work, "Kier Construction is keen to demonstrate to the users of Brighton station their commitment to delivering this work both safely and with a minimum of disruption. It is a source of pride to Kier that our excellent record in in the construction business is carried through to the railway user as we play our part in the railway renaissance."

Railhub Archive ::: 1997-07-31 RTK-001