Eaglescliffe Station on track for improvements
Improvements to Eaglescliffe Railway Station have been given the green light today (12 July), as the final planning application was signed off.
Officials have approved proposals for a new station car park at the Durham Lane Industrial Park, which forms part of a long-overdue redevelopment of the station, being led by the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority alongside Network Rail, station operator Northern and Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.
The upgrade will see the existing ramps, which provide access to platforms, replaced with a pedestrian footbridge and lifts to boost accessibility. This footbridge will also provide access from the western car park, which will have up to 100 spaces and is being delivered by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council.
Work is now due to begin on Durham Lane and Cleasby Way later this summer, which will provide road access to the new western car park. Network Rail is also continuing footbridge development work which, along with the new car park, is set to be complete in 2023.
Eaglescliffe provides key connections locally and nationally, with Grand Central’s service to London running six times a day plus with a half-hourly service between Darlington and Saltburn and hourly connections to Bishop Auckland.
Currently, access to the station from Durham Lane and land directly adjacent on the west requires either a 25-minute walk, a connection from Allen’s West Station or a drive of up to ten minutes.
The scheme is being backed by £8.5million of funding from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority, with further funding and support from Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and Network Rail.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Eaglescliffe Station has been needing an overhaul for years. Despite only having two platforms, it’s a hugely popular and busy station that plays a major role in connecting local people to the capital.
“The improvements will mean people from Allens West, and the nearby area, will no longer have to put up with unacceptably poor access to their railway station which results in long walks, train delays, taxis or lifts to get to a station just feet from their homes.
“2022 is our year of construction, but that doesn’t only mean spades in the ground on major investments to create the good-quality, well-paid jobs of tomorrow. It also means the long-awaited schemes to improve people’s lives and our communities, making it easier and more convenient than ever for people to get around and businesses forge new connections.”
Councillor Bob Cook, Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, said: “Eaglescliffe is an important station, connecting destinations across the Tees Valley Line and connecting with major stations such as York, Darlington and London King’s Cross.
“Last year the Council purchased a 26-hectacre site at Durham Lane Industrial Park to help protect and develop a key employment site in the Borough.
“We’re pleased that planning permission has now been granted to turn part of the land into a new station car park with up to 100 spaces, including 10 electric vehicle charging stations. This will complement the improvements to the station and opening access up to both the Industrial Park and railway station for local residents and businesses.”