Victorian station reveals huge step forward with new train platforms, footbridge & multi-storey car park in £140m revamp
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DARLINGTON station is getting a massive £140million makeover – and it's already underway.
Two brand new platforms are being built, as well as a shiny new multi-storey car park, and passengers have been promised fewer delays.
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The Victorian station is getting two new platforms and a larger carpark
Credit: Network Rail
The revamp is being led by Tees Valley Combined Authority, Darlington Borough Council, and LNER.
As well as new platforms, there will be a fully enclosed footbridge to link them to the current building.
It will be completely step-free and accessible for everyone.
But that's not all. Cyclists are being catered for too, with new bike lanes and shelters on the way.
In the car park, there'll be room for over 600 cars, electric vehicle chargers, and plenty of accessible parking bays.
Work inside the existing Grade II listed station is in full swing, with teams cracking on behind hoardings on Platform 1 to install new lifts, staircases, and the future footbridge.
The shortcut between Platforms 1 and 4 is shut for now, so passengers will need to follow signs around the back near Platforms 2 and 3 – and that's the way it'll stay until Autumn 2025.
But don't worry – the trains are still running as usual.
Engineers have been rebuilding the railway bridge to help more trains get through the station in future.
It's taken longer than expected, but the road is now set to reopen on 7 November 2025.
Over on the Eastern Gateway, work has started on a striking new pedestrian bridge that'll link the old and new parts of the station.
Foundations are being laid, and in a bold move, a hole will be cut in the Victorian station roof over Christmas – between 24 and 27 December – to slide the new bridge into place while trains are off.
Meanwhile, the new Platforms 5 and 6 are starting to take shape, with work on the track layout kicking off this autumn.
Fresh ballast will be laid and new track going down and all the complicated kit that lets trains switch lines will be installed near where the line heads off towards Bishop Auckland.
Once it's all done – by the end of 2025 – the upgrade will give passengers more choice, fewer delays and a much better station experience.
This comes after a series of satellite images of the development of a new £15million train station were revealed.
The station, which will be the newest addition to the Dartmoor Line, connecting West Devon, Torridge and North Cornwall with Exeter and beyond, will also benefit education and leisure services in the region.
GWR Regional Growth Manager David Whiteway said the project would provide "valuable support for the community and local economies".
Satellite images show the rapid development of the £15million scheme, which is being funded by the Department for Transport with contributions from Devon County Council and West Devon Borough Council.
Since work began in January, major progress has been made to create the new station on the edge of Okehampton, two minutes from the A30.
In March, 300 metres of the single-line track was moved 90cm north to allow a new platform to be built alongside it.
The previous track layout didn't allow for a platform to be built that meets regulations for new stations.
New track and 20 concrete sleepers were installed in the new alignment and 1,000 tonnes of ballast (track stone) laid and compacted.
Drainage work also took place with two new chambers built under the track and 300 tonnes of stone laid to allow water to flow away from the railway.
Work is also ongoing to build a 200-space car park and station platform.
Network Rail lead portfolio manager Alex Phillips said the past six months had seen "strong momentum on this important project, with several significant milestones reached".
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The station will also provide easy access for cyclists and more bike lock-ups
Credit: Network Rail
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A step-free footbridge will run across the platforms
Credit: Network Rail
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Bosses have promised fewer delays at the station
Credit: Network Rail
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The project will cost a whopping £140 million
Credit: Network Rail
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