Today I met with Jim Mayor, Brighton & Hove Council's Project Manager and Urban Designer, to discuss plans for the redevelopment of the station site, the Station Gateway Project.

One element I was keen to urge was a new access point to Trafalgar Street via a pedestrian exit or escalator.

This would be a great way to support local traders, since visitors would be led straight down into the heart of the North Laine, as well as being very useful for residents who live on the Eastern side of the city. 

 It would also be a practical way of bringing more life to the Mangalore Way area under the station arches, which could become more of a bustling cafe and market place area.

 Some years ago there used to be an exit via some steps that led down to Trafalgar Street, near the Toy Museum, so a precedent is there.

 Clearly there are challenges of cost and of ensuring that conservation concerns are addressed - but in principle, there seems to be no reason why an extra exit couldn't be incorporated as part of the Gateway Project. 

 I will be continuing to do all I can, in discussions with the Council, Network Rail and Southern, to see if we can make this happen.

A formal consultation on the Station Gateway Project will be starting in a few weeks' time, so do make sure you feed in your views.

Caroline and Jim Mayor discuss possibilities for a new station exit