Major civils works have begun on Darlington Railway Station with the first buildings alongside the station starting to be demolished.
Tees Valley Combined Authority, the Council, Network Rail and LNER have forged a partnership to plan out the major civils works required for the improvement and re-development of Darlington Station. Land to the east and west of Darlington Station (Neasham Road Side & Victoria Road Side) will also be part of the redevelopment.
The project will deliver the biggest transformation of the station area in decades providing modern, pedestrian-friendly travel interchanges for the town and the wider region.
These plans will transform the access to create an expanded mainline station
- The creation of new travel interchanges and a new multi-storey car park,
- The promotion of sustainable travel through priority enhancements for pedestrians and cyclists,
- The creation of gateway approaches and public realm that reflect the economic ambitions of Darlington and the wider Tees Valley region,
- Linking Central Park and the Town Centre with the station more effectively through an improved environment to attract more visitors and businesses to Darlington and
- Paving the way for improved train services at Darlington as a key east coast mainline station that improves regional and national connectivity.
Thompsons a demolition contractor will start to “soft strip” properties to the east of the station before major demolition works begin in September.
Meanwhile, Willmott Dixon will deliver the Eastern Gateway redevelopment plan which includes a multi-storey car park, transport interchange and a gateway entrance connected to Central Park.
There will be 3 new platforms on the East Side of the existing Bank Top Station together with a new station building and linking footbridge.
To the western side of the station an upgrade to the Victoria Road entrance and car park is also planned. Together with new road layouts, wider pavements and sustainable improvements to walking and cycling access.
The project is due to be completed by December 2024 which will just be in time for 200th anniversary celebrations of the Stockton & Darlington Railway in 2025. Celebrations which recognise Darlington as the birthplace of the modern railway.
Image credit the Northernecho
