LOCAL AUTHORITY
ALL
ABOARD
£35m transformation set
for Middlesbrough station
A
£35m transformation of Middlesbrough Station
has been announced to deliver more train services
to the town, including the first direct rail link to
London in decades.
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen has committed £22.5m
to the scheme which, in its first phase early next year,
will see a platform extension facilitate more services and
longer trains. The extended platform two will be able to
accommodate new LNER Azuma trains as mayor Houchen
leads discussions with the government-owned operator to
restore daily services from Middlesbrough to the capital.
The scheme will also see major customer service
improvements at the station including a new £6.5m
entrance, with accompanying business units on Zetland
Road. A third phase could see a new platform three built to
the north of platform two to further increase train capacity
within the station.
The scheme is a joint partnership between the mayor
and Tees Valley Combined Authority, Network Rail,
Middlesbrough Council and the Department for Transport,
with support from train operators.
Mayor Houchen said: “While we will also make major
improvements in customer areas, including a modern and
much more accessible front entrance, first and foremost
this is about increasing the capacity of the station to
accommodate more and longer trains.
“Network Rail expects to start work to expand platform
two in early 2021, and we’re hoping to get confirmation of
a service to London in 2021 which would be a great boost
for businesses and people in Middlesbrough”.
A second phase of development will include the
refurbishment of the redundant, derelict and dilapidated
station undercroft to provide a new entrance into the
station subway and newly refurbished workspaces. There
will also be changes to the road to the front of the station.
The plans form part of an outline business case with
preparatory work expected to start in the autumn and
building work on site in early 2021.
Middlesbrough mayor Andy Preston said: “I’m furious
that there are no direct trains to London – this staggering
gap in basic infrastructure is a symptom of major historic
problems here. So thank God that this is finally being
sorted. Well done to Ben Houchen and everyone involved.
“Direct trains will boost our progress towards creating
the UK’s digital city and countless jobs in the oldest part of
Middlesbrough.”
Sign up to the Invest Middlesbrough e-newsletter for updates on
the Rail station development: visit investmiddlesbrough.co.uk
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