Hurst Green station, on the Oxted line in East Sussex, has had a major makeover.
Both the station and the surrounding area are inside the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which is the fourth largest AONB in England and Wales.
The trestle sections of the platforms were upgraded, along with trestle leg repairs and slab replacements; these vital works were planned to be delivered in a 52-hour possession which was later reduced to 27 hours.
The project team were able to plan an approach which involved delivering part of the works during the week while working at night in a safe manner.
The project also received positive feedback from station users whilst demobilisation was taking place, highlighting the success of the project’s strategy in integrating the Putting Passengers First strategy at the core of the delivery plan.
Shaun King, Network Rail’s Sussex route director, said: “This upgrade has made a big difference to Hurst Green station by improving the experience for passengers. These improvements are a vital aspect of our strategy to provide a safe, reliable and efficient railway and this project will make sure that the platforms will be a reliable asset for years to come.”
Hurst Green has a rich history and the first regular London-Hastings passenger carrying coach ran in 1745 taking three days to cover the route in either direction – reduced to one day by the end of the century.
The original Hurst Green Halt opened 1 June 1907 with short wooden platforms, sited between the road bridge and the junction of the East Grinstead/Uckfield lines. This halt was closed on 12 June 1961 and the present station was opened on the northside of the bridge.
