£25m revamp forBarnham station

A 25m project is under way around the busy railway junction to boost the reliability of services.

Network Rail is carrying out the major scheme, which is due to last well into the summer. Services will be stopped, probably for a weekend, to enable the improvements to be carried out.

The focus of the work is to renew the signalling system for the three tracks and move the connection between the Bognor branch and the main line several hundred metres eastwards from the end of platforms one and two.

Network Rail spokesman Michael Cavanagh said: 'Work being undertaken includes lengthening the three platforms at Barnham station, track work, a new signalling centre to replace the existing signal box, and the widening of the bridge over Yapton Road.'

The scheme probably involves the most radical changes to the station's layout since the single track branch line to Bognor Regis was doubled in January 1911.

Arun Valley Rail Users' Association chairman Trevor Tupper said: 'The changes should improve reliability.'

The intention of the works is to provide more flexibility for rail services and reduce delays along the busy West Coastway line between Portsmouth and Brighton and the Arun Valley route from Bognor to London. The scheme will see the east-west line alongside platform two made reversible so trains from either direction can use it. It will provide the only overtaking area along the coast between Havant and Worthing.

Platform one's lengthening will enable trains with portions going to separate destinations to be split alongside it for the first time.

'We welcome this work because it's always been a bit of one problem with one late train holding up others which are following it,' said Mr Tupper.

The need to provide more space for trains means that the rail bridge over Yapton Road '“ infamously flooded on December 31, 1993 '“ is being widened for the first time. This complex task is due to be completed in June.

Mr Cavanagh said: 'We are doing this work as the future track layout at Barnham will see the Bognor line join the main line at a different location. This means the bridge will now carry three lines instead of the present two, necessitating the widening to accommodate that extra track.'

But one casualty of the changes will be the existing signal box.

This wooden building has stood at the western end of the station for decades. It has been a familiar sight for millions of passengers.

But the new signalling centre, being built some 100 yards west of the station, will mean the existing box will become redundant.

'The current plan will see the new signalling system brought into use in May this year. The transfer of signalling operations from the old signal box to the new one will then take place. This will mean the old signal box is no longer needed.'