The multi-million redevelopment of Darlington railway station will help transform the town into a major Northern powerhouse, officials have emphatically said.
Demolition work started on Friday as part of redevelopment plans which include creating an extension to the station, linking the old and new sites by a bridge, a multi-storey car park, transport interchange and gateway entrance connected to Central Park. New platforms will accommodate current and future services to improve the region’s local and national transport links.
An upgrade to the Victoria Road entrance and car park pick-up and drop-off points on the western side of the station is also planned, with new road layouts, wider pavements and a boost to walking and cycling access to make the station easier to reach and improve connections with other types of transport.
Read more: How Darlington Railway Station will look after redevelopment
The redevelopment is priced at over £100million but will boost the town’s image as the “gateway of the Tees Valley”, as described by officials, and will have a similar positive impact on the surrounding area as London’s Kings Cross station, Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said.
“It’s a fantastic station now but its also allowed for a full redevelopment of the area and that’s what I want for Darlington - and that’s what this can catalyse.
“Our local and national transport will be much more effective than it I currently. The plans are going to come together and lift the whole area which will lead to more regeneration and more jobs. It’s a win win for everybody.”
With plans outlined for a permanent Treasury North base within the Darlington Economic Campus around the corner and the continued growth of the Teesside University facilities in the town make it a more desirable place for future investment and opportunity, Mr Houchen added.
“It breathes confidence,” he added. “The property developers and investors will spend their money around the town which has happened in places like Manchester, Leeds and Kings Cross.”
However, on the day the first buildings were demolished, rail services were already reduced ahead of national strike action on Saturday. The Government, rial companies and unions remain at an impasse over a suitable deal, and Mr Houchen called for parity. “Everybody should just bang their heads together and try to come up with a solution,” he added.
Elsewhere at the station, work is under way on properties adjacent to Neasham Road to the east of the station, with the Exhaust A Fix garage one of the first to be flattened. Darlington Borough Council is due to acquire further properties in the area as the demolition programme continues ahead of building work next year.
Cllr Jonathan Dulston, the town’s council leader, said the town already benefits from accessible rail links to the UK’s major cities but sees the development as a step further in improving the area’s image.
He said: “Darlington’s rail links are one of the major draws for both people wanting to live here and businesses looking to invest, and I’m delighted we’re seeing such progress to improve our connections.
“Residents and visitors will soon see more major changes as we bring more buildings down to give us a station to be proud of.”
Read next:
New Darlington innovation centre to help tackle cancer and develop flu vaccines
Talks to secure key North East devolution deal 'stall' amid Government chaos
The 'run down' area of Darlington that could be transformed thanks to new deal
If you want to read more stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here
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