On 20 August 2025, following a three-year project, the repaired and rebuilt station platform at grade II listed Singleton Station was officially declared open as a new section of the Centurion Way.  The event was the culmination of a conservation repair process which all began with a request to Vallis & Hall Conservation Architects to undertake a condition survey.  

A condition survey of a building or structure will generally include a schedule of priorities and recommendations for repair, with a view to conservation rather than restoration.

Once the survey has been completed, the most suitable approaches to conservation repair of the building or structure will be considered.

Furnished with this information, a cost analysis, specification of works and drawings can be produced, to form part of a tender package and potentially an application to the local authority for Listed Building Consent.

^{Platforms at Singleton Station, overgrown with vegetation}

In late 2022, we were approached by the South Downs National Park Authority (SDNPA) to undertake such condition surveys of the former station platform and goods warehouse at Singleton Station, and to provide a repair schedule for each.

The station and associated buildings at Singleton, first opened in July 1881, provided access from the Chichester line to the south, connecting up with Midhurst to the north, in hope that passengers would flock to Goodwood Racecourse. Although racegoers favoured Chichester station over Singleton, Edward VII as Prince of Wales was a frequent visitor, travelling there by royal train either for racing at Goodwood or to stay at West Dean Park with the James family.

^{Historic image of staff at the Station in the early twentieth century (Source: Forgotten Singleton, The Southern Way Issue No 16).}

The station closed in 1953, with its final use being transport for school children to Chichester and as freight transport of timber and sugar beet from local farms. Since its closure, the station and platform site have been used as a vineyard and winery, as well as vehicle repair business and scrap yard. By the early 1970s, however, the platforms at the station were becoming derelict, with vegetation taking hold and causing the structures to deteriorate.

^{The condition of the station platforms before conservation repair works and rebuilding}

Initial preparation for the project to arrest the deterioration required coordination with a measured survey company to obtain clear scans of the building structures, to provide plans and rectified photographic elevations which would be used for marking up the findings from the condition survey.

^{Extract from the condition survey of the platforms}

Further coordination with structural engineer and quantity surveyor, both well versed in traditional building techniques, allowed for a comprehensive condition and repair schedule to be in included in the report on the structures.  

The repair schedules were based on three levels of priority: urgent repairs to prevent collapse and risk to public safety, necessaryrepairs to prevent the structures from further deterioration, and desirable works to enhance and restore the buildings to their former glory.  This would enable the client to obtain budget costings for developing a strategy to carry out the repair works and raise money for the restoration.

Following completion of the condition survey and then addressing the urgent and necessary repairs, we provided the client with assistance for the next phase of works to rebuild elements of the station, which would enable public access and interpretation of its former layout, structures and use.

^{The area cleared for the works to commence}

Having received planning and Listed Building consents towards the end of 2024, the conservation repair project started in February 2025.  The scope of works included consolidation repairs to the former north and south platforms, installation of two timber station signs, making safe the dangerous underpasses while leaving them open for maintenance, and repairs to the face of the station retaining wall.

Just over five months later, the site has been transformed with the former platforms now reinstated and station signs and furniture installed.  The path between the platforms forms part of a 2 km extension to the Centurion Way, designed to maximise accessibility for users.  Information boards illustrate the history of the railway and station, and signage has also been installed to point visitors to nearby West Dean Gardens, Singleton village and the Weald and Downland Living Museum.

^{Information board at Singleton Station}

^{Signpost on The Centurion Way}

The Centurion Way is a 13km path which follows the former Chichester to Midhurst railway line, via Lavant and West Dean.  The opening to the public of this new section of the path to Cucumber Farm in Singleton was celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony led by Deputy Lieutenant of West Sussex, Simon Knight and Chair of the National Park Authority, Vanessa Rowlands, and attended by project partners and stakeholders.  A group of cyclists was also invited to follow the Centurion Way from Chichester to mark the occasion.

^{Ribbon cutting ceremony at the opening of the new section of The Centurion Way}

As a conservation architects we are delighted to have been involved with this project from the outset, particularly to see the initial condition survey lead to this successful conclusion.  We are continuing to work with the client as they turn to the goods warehouse, with aspirations to repair the building to service the West Dean Estate and local community as well as benefit the users of Centurion Way.

The opening of the new section was reported by the South Downs National Park Authority and BBC News.

More of our Conservation projects can be viewed here.

If you would like to speak to us about a condition survey or conservation repair project, please contact us.