£5m revamp to transform Brighton station concourse
The concourse at Brighton station is to have a £5 million makeover which will see the WH Smith’s building demolished.
More automatic ticket barriers will be installed and the big departure boards will be removed, opening up the views across the grade II* listed Victorian station.
Train operator Southern said that work had begun on the designs to remodel the concourse and it published an artist’s impression.
The company said that it was working with Network Rail and Brighton and Hove City Council and had secured £4.5 million from the Department for Transport’s “station commercial project facility”.
Southern will fund the remaining £5 million, with work expected to start by the end of the year and be completed by the end of next year.
It said that the revamp was intended to “provide modern facilities while maintaining and restoring the architectural importance of the station”.
The planned changes include
- A new ticket office and travel centre
- Twice as many automated ticket gates
- A new waiting lounge with comfortable seating, train information and a café
- New customer information screens providing train departure information
- Extra customer information screens above ticket machines, with monitors in shops, waiting areas, the travel centre and entrances
- Removal of the departures board and supporting structures giving better views out to the historic train shed
- Demolition of the 1970s building containing WH Smith giving a better layout and opening up views of the concourse buildings
- A wider selection of shops
- Opening up the third arch of the central walkway creating a wider central thoroughfare in and out of station
Southern said: “All station users will benefit whether they are rail passengers themselves, seeing off or greeting passengers or just using the station as a meeting place.
“The improvements will mean Brighton station can provide a better experience for passengers who make seven million return journeys each year as well as allowing it to cope in the future with the forecasted increase in passengers.
“Given the station’s listed status, we are working closely on our plans with Brighton and Hove City Council’s listed buildings team as well as other heritage stakeholders such as the Railway Heritage Trust.”
John Oliver, Southern’s sponsor for the scheme, said: “We are determined to use this once in a generation opportunity to make real improvements at Brighton station which has the potential to offer a modern travelling experience in a marvellous historical setting.
“To achieve this within the budget and timeframe depends crucially on effective working together with Network Rail, the local authority and other stakeholders.”
Simon Chapman, Network Rail’s route enhancement manager for Sussex, said: “Brighton station will be transformed by this investment which will ensure passengers benefit from improved facilities, more space and better access to the platforms.
“The station is a gateway to the town and a vital link to London and, as more people travel by train for business and pleasure, it’s important we invest to ensure the railway continues to support economic growth in Brighton and across the county.”
Malcolm Wood, company secretary of the Railway Heritage Trust, said: “The Railway Heritage Trust is pleased that the proposals for Brighton station are going to address some of the heritage aspects of this important station and looks forward to the opportunity to contribute to the project as it develops.”
Work is planned to start at the end of this year with completion by the end of next year.
Southern said that the work would be phased to ensure that the station remained open and the impact on people using the station was minimised.
