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Friday 2 May 2014

Lift off for passengers at Hassocks station

Region & Route:

| Southern

Hassocks station’s new lifts have been formally opened, marking the culmination of a two-year project to improve facilities for the travelling public.

More than £3m has been spent on the station over that period, delivering a new station building last summer and full step-free accessibility this year.

Network Rail’s route managing director for the South East, Dave Ward, said: “In just two years Hassocks has gone from having very few facilities to boasting a new, fully-accessible station. The railway is for everyone and the investment in Hassocks demonstrates the industry’s commitment to changing our network for the better.”

Station operator Southern’s head of stations, Dave Coates, said: “We are delighted that Hassocks station is now completely step-free. These new lifts represent another major investment in the station which complements both our work to make stations more accessible and the superb new station building.”

As well as the new lifts, the station subway has been refurbished, new lighting installed, along with new passenger shelters and new cycle shelters.

The Hassocks Amenity Association Rail Group played a crucial part in the redevelopment of the station, driving the campaign for improvements.

Their chairman, Catherine Cassidy, said: “It’s taken over 170 years to get a station that everyone can use – we don’t rush things in Sussex. It has been achieved because railway staff have not only listened to the community but acted on what they heard. The result is a community station that is fit for all and fit for the future.”

Opening the facility, MP Nick Herbert said: “It is fantastic that we have now got a decent station – something that is long overdue – and with these lifts we now have a facility that is fit for all.

“It’s not just a commuter station, but also the potential gateway to a national park, so all credit to everyone who made it happen.”