After VERA wrote a letter of complaint to Southern Water’s Chief Executive, the company informed us that they now plan to refurbish the station building this year, probably completing the work by late summer.

Due to the current embargo on Council expenditure and the poor condition of the current booking office, VERA are hiring a robust temporary building to be used instead until Southern Water’s works are completed. We will also carry out fencing alterations to create a direct access to the west end of the station platform, bypassing the present booking office. The council will be providing a scaffolding ramp, power supply and other items.

We have obtained agreement for VERA’s expenditure to be reimbursed by Southern Water and everything will be in place shortly before the railway reopens on 5th April. These temporary works will provide a clear perimeter around the existing building so that Southern Water’s contractors can start work at a later date without disturbing railway operations. Trains will use the extreme west end of the platform only, permitting contractors to access the east end direct from the road if necessary. (…And yes, the live rail will be isolated beforehand!)

An unofficial source recently told us that, rainfall permitting, Southern Water also plan to pump out the accumulated sludge from the vast storm water relief tunnel beneath the beach, starting in April. That should hopefully reduce the smell, for a while at least, though the view from the newly opened Reading Room restaurant opposite may be somewhat spoiled for the duration by the queue of sludge tanker

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