Mid Sussex railway station shortlisted for national award

Hassocks railway station has been recognised for its transformation with a brand new building which blends modern into the local area.

The station was made fully accessible to all passengers with the addition of lifts and providing step free access between platforms.

The local community group used to work out of a wooden hut, but the brand new station facility offers the hire of bicycles alongside a repair and servicing facility. Through their website, passengers can pre-book their cycles and access a variety of cycle routes for the local area.

The addition of a cycle hub has both increased spaces for cycle parking and includes a community-run bike hire and repair shop.

Station Manager Rebecca Atherton said: “I am so pleased that the station has been shortlisted for this award. The local team works hard to give a great service to our passengers, while the work undertaken at the station itself has really helped it reflect the needs of the local community. I am very proud of the hard work of everyone involved.”

The station partnership has also provided beautiful flower displays over the years, wowing passengers with bright colours, and have recently designed and planted a wildflower garden.

Catherine Cassidy, from the Hassocks Amenity Association Rail Group, said: “It is wonderful to hear that Hassocks station has been shortlisted for the Station Excellence award. The much needed new station and lifts were built after many years of campaigning by the Hassocks Rail Group, a voluntary group of people drawn from the local community, and subsequently the Rail Group working closely with Network Rail and Southern. It has made a great difference to our community and we feel immensely proud and grateful that we now have a station fit for the future to meet the needs of all.”

Winners of the awards will be announced on February 23 2017.

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