THE next phase of a multi-million project to save a North East railway station from further disrepair and to create new offices has been approved.
New plans for Middlesbrough station will renovate the south and east walls of the station car park after years of deterioration.
As part of the proposals, two open-plan offices have also been given the green light and will be built on either side of the central passageway at the Undercroft level.
The Undercroft structure will be demolished and a new steel frame will take its place.
The current ticket hall stairs will also be destroyed and two new staircases will be built off the central thoroughfare.
The entrance will also be moved and the new one will be at the centre of the station’s ticket hall building.
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There will be open public space at the east end of the former car park and there will also be a pedestrian walkway created between Zetland Road at the south of the station and the existing subway.
The £34m total is reached with cash from the Government, Tees Valley Combined Authority and Network Rail.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “I pledged that 2022 was our year of construction and I’m delighted to learn today of the approval to kick-start works on phase two of our major project at Middlesbrough Station.
“We’ve already completed the platform extension enabling the town’s first direct trains to the capital in more than 30-years and now we can go further by building a modern, fit for purpose station that local people can be proud of.
“Our investment of £22.5million to upgrade the station will finally give people from across our region the fast, reliable and smooth transport network they deserve. Further enabling them to access the job, training and business opportunities we’re creating across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.”
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The report submitted to the planning department at the council, which was compiled by transport consultancy firm Systra, states: “The objectives are to provide an improved service from the station, a more welcoming environment, a more accessible entrance to the station as well as reviving an under-used part of the historic station.”
The first direct Middlesbrough to London train route started in December, however, it is hoped that the once-a-day service will become more regular.
A further phase will also see a new platform three built to the north of platform two to increase the number of trains the station can hold.
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