In the workshop at Medstead work has commenced on the preparation of woodwork to create picket fence panels for the outside seating area for the West Country Buffet at Alresford. The new fencing will replace the temporary fence made out of pallets placed there to evaluate the concept of more outside catering in front of the station in addition to the existing seating on the platform. This is now due to be installed in the New Year after the Steam Illuminations and Father Christmas events.
More fencing, in a different material, is also underway in the workshop. This time it is some further hooped top fencing to be erected in front of the T Junction refreshment facility at Ropley. The fencing will continue the run of panels installed previously along the picnic area and will replace the temporary- not visually pleasing- crowd barriers currently in place.
Further to the positive engagement by the Railway with other bodies to accommodate visitors with disabilities the Building Department has carried out some additional painting in the disabled toilet facilities at the stations. A contrasting colour has been applied to some walls of the toilets in order to give a greater degree of definition for those with seeing impairments to the white physical assistance aids attached to the walls.
In cooperation with the Events team we have made a Wizard Week welcome board for Alresford station. This is in the colour theme of the event and matches the newly painted loco headboards we painted that grace the Wizard Express trains together with a carriage board. More A boards have also been made to be used at stations to give details of facilities and attractions during such events.
The porch canopy for outside the railway shop at Ropley station has now been erected. It compliments the Southern Railway style of the main station building and will provide better weather protection to the doorway when visitors and passing through. Further finishing work will follow to lay on a slate roof covering and capping and final paint touch up.
