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Wednesday 8 Jan 2014

Platform improvements to reduce congestion at East Worthing station

Region & Route:

| Southern

Passengers at East Worthing station can look forward to more space and reduced congestion after Network Rail engineers started work to widen both platforms.

The investment has been welcomed by East Worthing and Shoreham MP Tim Loughton, who visited the station ahead of the start of work. Parents and teachers from nearby schools are also pleased with the improvements as the platforms can become especially busy in the after school period, when many children return home by train.

Network Rail will widen the full length of both platforms, which are around 100m long, by 1.5m, increasing them on average to 3.75m in width. The work will not impact on train services and is scheduled for completion in May.

Tim Loughton MP said: “I am delighted that Network Rail has listened to our concerns and particularly those from pupils at Davison School and very grateful that they have now prioritised this work. This is an important station for local schools especially and the improvements now being undertaken recognise the need to ensure that my constituents can use the platforms safely at busy times and will be widely welcomed by the East Worthing community.”

Simon Chapman, Sussex route enhancement manager, Network Rail, said: “This is a great example of how Network Rail is investing to meet the needs of local communities. Once complete in a few months time, passengers in East Worthing will have a bigger, better station which can meet the demands of growing passenger numbers.”

Southern station group manager, Jim Cumming said: “We are delighted that work has now started on this important project as the platforms get quite congested at busy times. I am sure that the end result will be welcomed by our passengers who will benefit greatly from the provision of more space.”

Any questions or requests for further information from members of the public can be directed via Network Rail’s 24-hour helpline, 08457 114141.