Agenda item - Volk's Railway Potential Improvements

Report of the Executive Director for Economy, Environment & Culture.

RESOLVED:

(1)         That the progression of the project to achieve a new accessible railcar, including a costed design and the identification of full funding for the project as a priority be agreed;

(2)         That £30,000 of the funding of £40,000 previously identified for signage, a new shelter and siding is instead allocated to a new accessible railcar be agreed;

(3)         That officers be requested to explore the possibility of having painted signage on pavements across the city which depicts symbols rather than words for local attractions i.e. the Volks railway carriage, the Royal Pavilion, Brighton Pier and i360 and report back to a future meeting;

(4)         That the Committee notes that consideration to extend the railway to Black Rock will be given during the development of the Eastern Seafront Masterplan;

(5)         That the Committee notes the uncertainty of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the future operation of the railway, and that the financial viability of future  improvements would need to be given careful consideration to ensure the viability of the Volk’s Railway is sustainable.

13.1         The Head of Sport & Leisure introduced the report which detailed the potential improvements for the Volks Railway as requested by the committee at its last meeting.

13.2         The Chair noted that there was an amendment and invited Councillor Grimshaw to move the amendment.

13.3         Councillor Grimshaw moved the amendment on behalf of the Labour and read out a statement on behalf of Councillor Childs who was unable to attend due to the restriction on numbers attending for committee meetings.

13.4         The Chair noted that the amendment had been seconded by both Councillor Simson and herself, as part of the agreed protocol on restricted numbers attending committee meetings and put it to the vote which was carried.

13.5         The Chair then put the recommendations as amended to the vote which was carried.

13.6         RESOLVED:

(1)      That the progression of the project to achieve a new accessible railcar, including a costed design and the identification of full funding for the project as a priority be agreed;

(2)      That £30,000 of the funding of £40,000 previously identified for signage, a new shelter and siding is instead allocated to a new accessible railcar be agreed;

(3)      That officers be requested to explore the possibility of having painted signage on pavements across the city which depicts symbols rather than words for local attractions i.e. the Volks railway carriage, the Royal Pavilion, Brighton Pier and i360 and report back to a future meeting;

(4)      That the Committee notes that consideration to extend the railway to Black Rock will be given during the development of the Eastern Seafront Masterplan;

(5)      That the Committee notes the uncertainty of the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the future operation of the railway, and that the financial viability of future  improvements would need to be given careful consideration to ensure the viability of the Volk’s Railway is sustainable.