MULTI-MILLION plans to transform Darlington railway station are a step closer following planning approval of the eastern gateway element of the scheme.
In June, formal planning applications for the eastern and western elements of the scheme were submitted to Darlington Borough Council, with the scheme aiming to improve the frequency and reliability of services as well as connectivity along the East Coast Main Line and across the region.
Planning bosses have now approved the east side of the development, including a new entrance, station building, concourse and upgrade to its transport links.
The major redevelopment, totalling £105million, will create three new platforms on the east side of the existing station to accommodate current and future services, along with a footbridge linking the new platforms and building parts of the existing station and tie it more closely to the town centre.
An upgrade to the western side of the station is also planned, alongside new road layouts, wider pavements and improvements to walking and cycling access to make the station easier to reach.
A separate planning decision on this element of the project is due in the coming weeks.
Read more: Why Darlington Station's £100m redevelopment is so important for the town
Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen previously provided a £25million investment to spearhead the works. He said: “I’m delighted that we’ve passed this hurdle and now the time for talk is over, and we can get on with delivering a high-quality station which will play host to the regular, faster and more frequent services that local people deserve.
“This is just the latest good news about our redevelopment of stations right across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool, with plans or delivery well under way in Middlesbrough, Billingham, Hartlepool and Eaglescliffe, as well as improvements that will boost freight too.”
Read more: Darlington Station's development will "cement" town's history
Heather Scott, Leader of Darlington Borough Council and Combined Authority Cabinet lead for Transport, said the station redevelopment will have a significant positive impact on the region.
“Darlington Station is a key rail hub, not just for the Tees Valley but further afield," said Cllr Scott.
"This decision takes us a step closer to delivering transformational change at Darlington Station to support Economic Growth, delivering aspirational rail improvements across the Tees Valley and helping unlock issues on the East Coast Main line that impact on rail services to our region.”
Work is planned to be completed in time for 2025’s 200th anniversary celebrations of the Stockton and Darlington Railway, recognising Darlington as the birthplace of the modern railway.
Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
You can also follow our dedicated Darlington Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.
For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.
Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel