Victorian train station reopens in UK for first time in 4 YEARS as it reveals new £140million revamp
A VICTORIAN train station has reopened to the public after four years of construction.
The project has faced major delays throughout, with the station initially scheduled to open in 2025.
Darlington Station has reopened after receiving a £140million makeover, with first-time travelers enjoying the revamped facilities this weekend.
Darlington is considered to be the home of the modern railway, but the Victorian station needed a redesign.
Redevelopment for this historic Grade II listed station has been in the works for years, with the project starting in August 2022.
At the time, concerns were raised about whether the modern design would be in keeping with its Victorian history.
After major building work, such as cutting a hole in the roof to install a new footbridge, the project was pushed back due to “additional design requirements”, surpassing the initial completion date in 2025.
Now, after these delays, visitors in this northern town can enjoy a modern new copper-coloured concourse, an elevated walkway connecting two new platforms, and a 650-space multi-storey carpark.
The design of the station also means that it is now fully accessible, with step-free access across the whole station.
Completion of the station was celebrated on May 15, with conductors whistling in the famous steam locomotive Tornado to mark the occasion.
An LNER Azuma train also took passengers on a special inaugural journey to York, with live music, entertainment and refreshments on board.
On May 17, with the station fully working, locals got to try out the new facilities, funded by £43million from Tees Valley Combined Authority and £96million from Network Rail and the Department for Transport.
Visitors praised the new station, reports The Northern Echo, with one hailing the new station as “like a palace to the railway“, and others saying it was “modern and unbelievable”.
One particularly happy visitor also told the Echo: “If you said something like this would be in Dubai, you would think oh my goodness.
“This is in Darlington – and there’s not a railway station on the East Coast Mainline as good as this.”
Lola McEvoy, MP for Darlington, has praised the redevelopment of the station: “This absolutely cements it with the connectivity that we need, £160 million, and so many hours and hours of work.
“I just want to pay tribute to everybody who has put so much graft into this.
“I think it’s really important because for visitors and for investors, this is going to mark us out as a place to come and visit and enjoy and build.
“But for residents, what it’s going to do is unlock new adventures and make sure that we get the economic opportunities and the growth that we so desperately need and absolutely deserve.”