Darlington Station Footbridge Installed for December Project Finish

Darlington station got a new footbridge. A huge crane put it in place over last weekend. The bridge is part of a big station upgrade costing £140 million overall, with the aim to finish by the end of the year. This marks 200 years of passenger trains, which began with the Stockton and Darlington Railway.

The station upgrade includes two new platforms and a car park that will hold over 650 cars on nine levels. A transport hub helps with travel, and the Western entrance is also getting better. The new Eastern area will connect to the old station, and a walkway will link them together.

The project involves the Tees Valley Mayor, the Combined Authority, Network Rail, LNER, and the local council. No trains ran to or from the station during the bridge installation on February 22-23. Buses took passengers in different directions that weekend.

Network Rail confirmed the work is on schedule, and Luke Durston thanked everyone for understanding. Two of the bridge’s three parts are now set. The bridge design is unique, featuring a traditional look inside to complement the old building and a modern exterior near the new area.

The new platform five helps London trains, while platform six will serve local trains. Darlington can be a busy spot with crossing trains, and the platforms should fix that issue. The direct service will still go through Darlington station, so people commuting will not need to change trains.

Finishing touches are next, said Matthew Murr. The ticket hall is getting a makeover, and workers will install the rest of the bridge. They also need to put in lifts and escalators to ensure everyone can access all platforms.

The station transformation project stays on budget, according to Tees Valley Mayor Houchen. Network Rail now has the project and will fully fit out the station for use.

Completing the multi-story car park is a priority of the Combined Authority. Highway work will also happen soon to allow for seamless connections. The goal is to finish by October, including drop-off spots and landscaping.

The overall project should be done next December, and Darlington will get better service. The station will blend historic parts with modern needs. LNER’s Steve Wilson said the experience will be brighter, and the station is also getting new shops.