Latest news with #DarlingtonBoroughCouncil
The Irish Sun
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Irish Sun
Victorian station reveals huge step forward with new train platforms, footbridge & multi-storey car park in £140m revamp
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. 6 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. read more on trains In the car park, there'll be room for over 600 cars, 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. Most read in Travel 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 The 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 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". 6 The station will also provide easy access for cyclists and more bike lock-ups Credit: Network Rail 6 A step-free footbridge will run across the platforms Credit: Network Rail 6 Bosses have promised fewer delays at the station Credit: Network Rail 6 The project will cost a whopping £140 million Credit: Network Rail 6 Old and new parts of the station will be linked Credit: Network Rail
The Sun
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
Victorian station reveals huge step forward with new train platforms, footbridge & multi-storey car park in £140m revamp
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. 6 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". 6 6 6 6 6
BBC News
10-07-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Darlington HMO rules approved by council
New planning rules will make it tougher for landlords to convert properties into shared housing, a local authority has Borough Council has granted an Article 4 Direction, which will require owners to apply for planning permission before creating Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMOs).It comes after concerns from residents over the increased usage of HMOs throughout the borough, particularly in areas near the town councillor Chris McEwan, cabinet member for economy, said it was "not about banning HMOs" but addressing the balance which has "been tipped too far". He said: "We know they [HMOs] have a role to play, especially for younger people and those on lower incomes. "But without oversight, the balance has been tipped too far. We want decent, affordable homes in every part of the town, and this is one of the tools to help us deliver that."The Article 4 Direction will allow the local authority to make sure housing works for local families, "not just landlords chasing profit," he added. 'No control whatsoever' Current rules in England allow owners to convert a home into an HMO for up to six people without requiring planning Road residents had warned that landlords were contributing to the "uncontrolled transformation" of their neighbourhood, as more homes were reconfigured to suit multiple occupants, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Matthew Snedker, the leader of the Darlington Green Party, said the increase in HMOs has led to public disquiet about the future of their neighbourhoods. "Speaking with residents who have gone through the process of having HMOs appear next to them, they were shocked that there was no control whatsoever," he told a cabinet meeting."It seems that some of these developers know the system very well and can work their way around it within the law."Darlington Conservative leader, councillor Jonathan Dulston, urged council leaders to go further with enforcement."I don't think it goes far enough," he said."This is the bare minimum of what the council could do."The Labour-led council said it would review any comments received regarding the new powers following an initial trial period. Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
06-07-2025
- General
- BBC News
Darlington bandstand renamed in honour of Alasdair MacConachie
A park bandstand will be renamed in honour of a businessman dubbed "Mr Darlington".Alasdair MacConachie, who got the moniker because of his decades of support for his community, died on Christmas Day following a short 78-year-old supported many local initiatives and charities and held a variety of official posts and awards including Freedom of the Borough and Vice Lord Lieutenant of County bandstand in Darlington's South Park, which dates from the 1890s, will be formally renamed after him ahead of the annual Proms in the Park event which takes place later. Leader of Darlington Borough Council Stephen Harker said they wanted to find another way to commemorate Mr MacConachie, who was also a chair and honorary president of St Teresa's Hospice, chair of Darlington College and Darlington Partnership, honorary chair of The Friends of Darlington Memorial Hospital and president of Darlington Rotary said: "Alasdair's contribution to Darlington was immense. "He was generous with his time and resources beyond compare, a true philanthropist who helped many worthy causes across the town." The bandstand will also be refurbished following support from Darlington Building Society, Point North and Darlington Rotary Club. Harker added: "In granting Alasdair Freedom of the Borough in 2012, the council had bestowed on him the highest honour it was able to."We wanted to find another way to commemorate him and felt the proposal to rename the bandstand was a fitting tribute." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
BBC News
11-06-2025
- BBC News
Darlington bird feeding ban as part of council crackdown
Stricter measures to curb rising antisocial behaviour and feeding pigeons in a town centre are to come into force in Borough Council has updated its Public Spaces Protection Order (PSPO), which allows the issuing of fines to people for being abusive or order, granted at a council meeting on Tuesday, is designed to give officers powers to tackle offenders without needing to arrest new restrictions will also bring in a public bird feeding ban, following public safety and health concerns from residents and businesses. The move follows a 125 percent increase in youth-related incidents reported to Cleveland Police, when comparing data from 2023/24 to 2024/ centre officers have reported a rise in people deliberately riding towards members of the public before veering off at the last moment, causing fear of injury and distress. Other problems are being caused by bikers, skateboarders and scooter riders performing stunts and riding recklessly on roads and in pedestrian areas, the Local Democracy Reporting Service addition, people are continuing to feed the "substantial bird population in the town centre", despite signs being put up warning them not to, thereby "contributing to multiple issues for the council, residents and businesses to manage." Adaptations to local buildings and birds of prey being flown have also been used as a deterrent against the pigeons. Meanwhile, the new PSPO, which covers all of the borough, will provide additional powers to combat begging, side waste and stray dogs.A council report stated: "A significant amount of support is in place for those individuals who find themselves homeless and in need of support."Officers will routinely make referrals or signpost these individuals to these services." Follow BBC Tees on X, Facebook, Nextdoor and Instagram.
