Work has started as part of a multi-million pound upgrade at Darlington station in County Durham.
What work is taking place?
Working together with Tees Valley Combined Authority, Darlington Borough Council and London North Eastern Railway, we will be providing two new platforms on the Eastern side of the station and a new, fully accessible and enclosed footbridge linking them to the current station building.
New cycle lanes will also be introduced, with bike shelters and a multi-storey car park which will adjoin the new station building. The car park will include secure parking for over 600 cars, including accessible parking bays and electric car charging points.
When is the work taking place?
The work has started and the upgrade is due to be completed in 2025.
How will this work affect me?
Whilst we work to upgrade the station, there will be changes to the current station layout.
- From late February 2024, hoardings will begin to be erected along Platform 1, with current seating moved to accessible parts of the platform.
- From Wednesday 6 March, the thoroughfare between Platforms 1 and 4 will be closed off while work continues. Access to Platform 1 will be clearly signposted around the south end of the station buildings by Platforms 2 and 3.
- At the end of March, a new temporary ticket retail facility will be provided for passengers to purchase tickets, located opposite the existing travel centre while development takes place.
These changes will continue until the work is complete in Autumn 2025.
Smithfield Road closure
As part of this project, we need to widen the railway bridge over Smithfield Road in Darlington. The railway bridge needs to be widened to make room for an additional rail track to be installed, which is a key part of the work to build two new platforms at the station, which will provide an improved service for you.
From Wednesday 6 December, we will begin preparatory work ahead of the track installation. The work will see vegetation removal, excavation work, demolition of the Eastern elevation of the bridge and the installation of pre-fabricated bridge components.
To allow this work to take place safely, Smithfield Road will close on Monday 8 January and remain closed until late May 2024.
An alternative route for vehicles will be signed via Neasham Road, Parkgate, St Cuthbert’s Way, Victoria Road and Park Lane.
An alternative route for pedestrians will be signed via Park Lane, Parkside, Railway View and Ullswater Avenue.
Why is the work needed?
Once completed, the package of upgrades will not only transform station facilities for passengers, but it will also provide a new integrated transport hub to improve the region’s local and national transport links.
The two new platforms will provide passengers with a better service and more travel options in the future. They will also improve reliability and reduce delays for both local and long-distance high-speed services on the East Coast Main Line, both for now and in the future.
The project is designed make the station easier to use for people arriving by public transport or on a bicycle. The station will also be fully accessible for those with additional access needs, limited mobility, families with pushchairs and those struggling with heavy luggage, with step-free access throughout the station.
Get in touch
For more information or to get in touch with us, please contact us by visiting our contact us page or by calling our 24-hour national helpline on 03457 11 41 41.