Judgement day for Bexhill station

A report from Network Rail, detailing the maintenance work it can offer the station until money for a full revamp is available, will be considered by Rother planning committee before it decides whether to hit the company with a enforcement notice.

It would then be required by law to carry out vital work within three months.

The tough action by the council comes after the rail company told Rother it did not have the money for the 1.5million revamp, initially planned for completion in the summer of 2001.

After planning concerns were cleared up so changes would be in line with the station's Listed Building Status and in keeping with the conservation area, work was done to the exterior walls in August 2000. But the full plan was not put into action by former rail company Railtrack.

Time cost money as the station slipped into a further state of decay, bumping up estimates. Network Rail began its job by re-assessing budgets and Bexhill train station plans were put on hold indefinitely and plans repriced. Rother responded by seeking the enforcement notice, as the renovation is a key part of the town's regeneration and work is long overdue.

Broken windows, window frames, shabby wood work, a gappy canopy and flaky paint work are not considered value-for-money by commuters.

But things sunk to a new low in August when the concrete ramp to the Eastbourne platform swelled and cracked in hot weather.

The report, to be considered by planners on Thursday, is a final attempt at negotiation by Rother.

Network Rail has compiled a list of jobs it feels in a financial position to carry out.

If it does not meet the minimum expectations of the council, set out in a report to the company, Councillors are likely to enforce the notice.

Network Rail's report is available on the Rother website, www.rother.gov.uk, and at the Town Hall's planning department.