EFFORTS are being made to make a Darlington train station more pleasant for commuters.

North Road station has been adopted by Bishop Trains, which runs services between Darlington and Bishop Auckland.

Plans include brightening up the station by adding colourful planters and making it more attractive by removing litter and maintaining the vegetation around the station.

Michael Wilkinson, from Bishop Trains, who is overseeing the adoption scheme, said: “We are delighted to have been given this opportunity to help regenerate North Road station. There is much work to do but I’m confident that the end result will be an attractive station that our community can be proud of.”

The number of people using the station has increased by 40 per cent over the last four years.

Mr Wilkinson added: “The main priority for the improvement works is making the station more attractive and visible. We hope to do this by creating an artwork display along North Road.”

He is in discussions with Darlington College to get local students involved in the project.

The station improvements are due to start in the summer and will support work being carried out by Darlington Borough Council to improve lighting, information and facilities at the station.

Charlie Walton, chairman of the Bishop Line Community Rail Partnership, said: “North Road station is of great historical importance to the region as it was one of the first passenger stations of its type in the world.

“The improvements being planned by the council and Bishop Trains will complement each other well and ensure that North Road station continues to meet the needs of commuters, visitors and local people.”

Bishop Trains will work on the project in partnership with the council, Northern Rail, the Head of Steam Museum and the Stockton & Darlington Railway Youth Team.