Call for modernisation of Hove Station footbridge

The Grade II listed footbridge that serves Hove Station should be modernised as its current ‘dingy’ state is leaving residents feeling unsafe, according to Goldsmid ward councillor Alex Phillips.

The Green city councillor has called for improvements to be made to the 19th century structure as paintwork carried out a few years ago is now flaking and the station is inaccessible from the north side of the line by wheelchair users.

Councillor Phillips at Hove Station

Cllr Phillips said: “Hove footbridge is in desperate need of modernisation. A few years ago, money was spent on a cosmetic paintjob. However, this is now peeling away and the footbridge remains a dingy public right of way which makes many Goldsmid residents feel unsafe.”

The councillor has mocked the dilapidated state of the footbridge, stating that it better served residents when it was built in the 19th century, while side panels fitted are now illegal as they were only given temporary permission ahead of a survey which, according to the Green Party, has never been carried out.

She added: “It’s not just the way it looks – the bridge isn’t fit for purpose either, with no way for wheelchair users to access the station from the north side. There are also difficulties for those with prams. When the footbridge was built in the nineteenth century it was equipped with hydraulic lifts at each end; surely we can at least equal that in modern Britain?

“If the council is serious about offering a wide choice of transport options to the city, they should work with Network Rail to modernise the footbridge and make it accessible and safe for all.”

A petition has been set up urging the council to work with Network Rail to improve the footbridge. The petition cna be accessed here – http://bit.ly/HoveFootbridge.

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Posted by Joseph Lewis on February 7, 2011. Filed under Brighton and Hove News,Featured,Goldsmid,Hove. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry