I asked previously if this was part of the water pump assembly which you said it was.

I recently had my water pump replaced because it was leaking and they had to remove all the timing etc to get it off.

Replaced the thermostat at the same time as the original one was looking sad after 100,000kms.

Maybe it wasn't necessary to do this!? Or perhaps I misunderstood and he was meaning he had to remove the belts for air con and power steering and probably the timing belt cover.

Had some other work done at the same time like valve cover gasket and half moon seals.