THE renovation of a North- East railway station was given a boost yesterday with the confirmation of a £5m Government grant.

Newcastle Central Station is to be transformed into a magnificent gateway to the region with up-to-date facilities for passengers.

As well as trains, the transport centre will cater for coaches, Metro, bus services and taxis – with total confirmed investment up to about £15m.

Jobs are expected to be created by the investment with more secured through the economic regeneration of the area.

The money comes days after the announcement that Network Rail has been awarded £8.6m to transform the interior of Central Station.

Both NE1, a business development company, and Newcastle City Council will also make additional funding contributions.

Barry Rowland, chief executive of Newcastle City Council and clerk to the Tyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority, said: “We have worked hard with our partners NE1 and Network Rail for almost two years to secure this range of funding and foster a shared vision for a regional transport hub that will create the conditions for accelerated regeneration of the areas surrounding the station.

“We look forward to work starting next summer and progress being made on this important project.”

The work will celebrate the heritage status of the classical Grade I-listed station, designed by John Dobson, while bringing it into the 21st Century.

Network Rail plans to transform the station’s interior, providing modern retail and leisure facilities, improved passenger waiting areas and toilets, better signage and alterations to the existing bridge, while adding lifts and escalators to make it easier to move around.

There will also be improved glazed canopies to flood the station with natural light.

The redevelopment work will begin in the middle of next year and it is hoped it will have a major impact on other areas, including the Quayside, Science Central, Grainger Street and Clayton Street, leading up into the commercial heart of the city.

Gavin Black, deputy chairman of NE1, said: “This is great news for Newcastle and the region.

“It is a major piece in this part of the regeneration jigsaw and offers huge potential to deliver significant and long lasting improvements city wide.”