£105m Darlington railway station transformation takes shape

The multi-million pound redevelopment of a North East railway station has moved forward.

£105m plans to transform Darlington railway station have progressed following planning approval of the eastern gateway element of the scheme.

In June the formal planning applications for the eastern and western elements of the scheme were submitted to Darlington Borough Council.

Planning bosses have now approved the east side of the development, including a new entrance, station building, concourse and upgrade to its transport links.

The redevelopment will create three new platforms on the east side of the existing station to accommodate current and future services, along with a footbridge linking the new platforms and building parts of the existing station and tie it more closely to the town centre.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen commented: “I’m delighted that we’ve passed this hurdle and now the time for talk is over, and we can get on with delivering a high-quality station which will play host to the regular, faster and more frequent services that local people deserve.

“These plans will make it easier than ever for people to get to and from our region by train, which will be vitally important as we look to capitalise on all of the opportunities developments like the airport, Freeport and Northern Economic campus are presenting us with right now.

“More than that, it’ll make it even easier for people from across the region to get out and about, to work, to see loved ones and spending in our towns again as we come out of the other side of the coronavirus pandemic.

“This is just the latest good news about our redevelopment of stations right across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool, with plans or delivery well under way in Middlesbrough, Billingham, Hartlepool and Eaglescliffe, as well as improvements that will boost freight too.”