Station staircase may be reopened.

An earlier post this year "Brighton station gateway" bemoaned the blocking, some years ago, of the south-east staircase thus depriving the travelling public of a convenient exit to Trafalgar Street and the North Laine area.

Now, planning application BH2012/024054, filed earlier this month, proposes alterations throughout the station and the creation of new entrances. One of the drawings show what appears to be a fairly simple reconfiguration of the substation to re-establish access to the said staircase doorway.

Unfortunately we can not assume that this is a done deal even when it gets planning permission. It is apparently reliant on the cooperation of UK Power Networks and on sufficient funds being available at the end of the project plus no "viable 3rd party alternative". Not sure what this last means.

The application makes no mention of those originally responsible for the siting of the substation, or suggests that they should be put in the stocks and pelted with tomatoes.

The application also includes demolition of structures on concourse, realigned and expanded gate line, and alterations associated with creation of retail units, waiting room, travel centre, booking hall, relocated control room and extension of Rail Gourmet building.