A much-needed upgrade of a North East station will see a British firm's steel used as part of a multi-million pound revamp.

A Tees Valley Mayor spokesperson has revealed today (February 13) vital improvements being made to Middlesbrough Station as part of a £34 million scheme will see materials purchased from British Steel used in the overhaul.

The fabrication of the steel will be taking place at Middlesbrough-based CB Construction (Cleveland) Ltd.

40 tonnes of mainly beams and columns which will form part of the ticket hall, new staircase, wall structures and undercroft are set to come to the station site next month.

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Meanwhile, Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said the development of the station, which is planned to be complete in 2024, is making "great progress" and he is proud British steel is being used in the process.

He said: “Our area has a proud history of steelmaking and to me it is indisputable that we as a country still have a huge role to play in this industry.

“I am a huge champion of British Steel, which employs more than 700 people on Teesside, and while we can't change the past, I will do everything I can to support British Steel’s future.

“As we’re making great progress on the redevelopment of Middlesbrough Station, I am immensely proud to say that we’ve worked tirelessly over recent months to make sure that all structural steel used on the station redevelopment will come from British Steel.

“When ready, the station will provide Middlesbrough with the gateway it truly deserves. With the Middlesbrough Mayoral Development Corporation set to supercharge progress, we’re rightly aiming high on what we can all achieve in the town.”

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He added the project has served as a boon for supporting the residents and creating jobs on Teesside.

He also said it was "fantastic" to see a Middlesbrough firm, CB Construction, take a central role in the redevelopment of Middlesbrough Station.

He said the project is another example of actions taken to improve the lives of those living in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool, as well as support local manufacturers.

British Steel has sites across the UK and supports more than 700 jobs across the Tees Valley through its sites at Skinningrove, Darlington, and at its Beam Mill, at Lackenby.

Speaking on the deal, David Hogg, British Steel Plant Manager – Northern Mills, said: “We’re extremely proud our steel will be used in this exciting project.

"It is a huge vote of confidence in British Steel, our people and our products which demonstrates the importance of a vibrant UK steel industry to this country.

"We look forward to working with the project partners and seeing this magnificent new building take shape with homemade steel.”

Meanwhile, Gary Sivills, Managing Director for CB Construction, said: “As a local firm who’ve always been based on North Ormesby Road, we were delighted to be chosen by Story Contracting and Network Rail to fabricate the steel for the station project.

The Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority have contributed £22.5million to the Middlesbrough Station project, which is being delivered by Network Rail.

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The first phase of the station works were completed in December 2021, with a 75-metre platform extension to accommodate the new LNER Azuma direct service to London, the town’s first service to the capital in more than 30 years.

This second part of the scheme will see the current ticket hall stairs removed, a new staircase built off the central thoroughfare, open public space at the east end of the former car park, and a new pedestrian walkway created between Zetland Road at the south of the station and the existing subway.

The Combined Authority has worked closely with the rail industry, the Department for Transport, Network Rail, and Middlesbrough Council on this, while a third platform is set to be built.