Works complete on first phase of £34m Middlesbrough station upgrade

Work has been completed on the first phase of a £34m refurbishment project at a train station in Middlesbrough.

Middlesbrough station has seen work finish on the extension of its second platform, which is now 75 metres longer.

The works were part of a £34m station upgrade, to accommodate new Azuma trains ahead of LNER bringing its Middlesbrough to London service into operation from December.

Work will now move on to the next phases of the scheme, with a new entrance into the station subway and newly refurbished shops and office units, as well as a third station platform.

Ben Houchen, mayor of Tees Valley, said: “Now that we’ve delivered the extended platform at Middlesbrough station, it’s great to see LNER moving forward with getting their drivers trained so we can give local people the service to the capital they’ve been crying out for.

“This is even more important as our businesses recover from the coronavirus pandemic, and start to once again visit major cities such as London, Manchester and York on business, securing opportunities and helping them to grow and create good-quality, well-paid jobs for local people.

“The improved connection will also help drive forward investment from the capital into our region as we continue to shout about all of the benefits of being based here, including the UK’s largest Freeport just a few miles down the road.

“Big and small, we’re driving forward with upgrades across the network in all of our boroughs so we can give people the more reliable, faster services that they deserve.”

David Horne, managing director of LNER, said: “Thanks to investment in Middlesbrough Station, we are working to introduce an inaugural Middlesbrough-London service from December 2021, and a regular service in the coming years, to better connect the heart of the Tees Valley with the capital.

“I encourage all interested parties to comment on the proposed East Coast Main Line timetable public consultation that is currently underway.”