Darlington station transformation reaches key milestone

A significant step forward has been achieved in the £140 million redevelopment of Darlington Station with the completion of its new Eastern Concourse building.

Delivered on time and on budget by the Tees Valley Combined Authority, which has contributed £43 million to the project, the concourse structure will now be handed over to Network Rail for the next phase, which includes fitting out shop units and amenities. The concourse is set to welcome passengers by late 2025.

Tees Valley mayor Ben Houchen said: “This is a major moment in the redevelopment of Darlington Station and we are proud to be handing over the Eastern Concourse Building right on time.

“This transformative project will provide Darlington passengers with the station they deserve while helping to boost the number of services we’re able to provide across our region and securing national rail links to and from Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool. 

“We look forward to progress continuing at pace and for the full transformation project being finished next year as we celebrate 200 years of the railways.”  

The project also includes two new platforms, a 650-space multi-storey car park, a transport interchange, and a new elevated walkway connecting the Eastern Concourse to the historic Grade-II listed station. Once complete, the redevelopment will alleviate capacity constraints on the East Coast Main Line while enhancing passenger facilities and supporting regional economic growth.

Luke Durston, Network Rail principal programme sponsor, added: “This is a real ‘handing of the baton’ moment in the £140million transformation of Darlington station.

“We thank Tees Valley Combined Authority for the best start possible in our joint race to bring a better train service to the region and build state-of-the-art station facilities for passengers.

“We’ll be working closely with LNER, Darlington Borough Council and Tees Valley Combined Authority throughout 2025 while we fit-out the Eastern Gateway Building, build the new platforms, fully accessible link-bridge and install railway lines and signalling systems with the aim of bringing them into service by the end of next year.”

The overhaul is being delivered in partnership with Network Rail, LNER and Darlington Borough Council, with contributions from the Department for Transport and local stakeholders. Its completion will also be timely, being 200 years since the opening of the Darlington and Stockton Railway, the world’s first public railway to use steam locomotives.

Steve Wilson, head of stations at LNER, added: “This project will give Darlington a station it can be proud of.

“It’s particularly fitting that the work being carried out to transform Darlington Station is due to complete towards the end of 2025, when a nationwide celebration is taking place to mark 200 years since the opening of the Stockton and Darlington Railway in 1825 – a journey that truly changed the world.” 

Work to construct the new concourse building was carried out on behalf of Tees Valley Combined Authority by Willmott Dixon. BAM is the contractor on the next fit out phase while Willmott Dixon is continuing work to the adjacent multi-storey car park and transport interchange.

Simon Bywater, construction manager at Willmott Dixon, added: “We’re enormously proud to have worked alongside Tees Valley Combined Authority to deliver this modern and vibrant gateway to Darlington.

“Our local team have completed more than 25 projects for the people of the Tees Valley, and Darlington Station Gateway showcases our ongoing commitment to changing lives and creating opportunities for local people.

“In addition to new local jobs, apprenticeships and training weeks, we have invested more than £14 million with local supply chain businesses making this a project built for the people of Darlington by the people of Darlington.”

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