Work is expected to start next year on a long-hoped for platform extension at Middlesbrough Railway Station.
The platform could deliver the first direct train link to London for decades, and will be able to accommodate more trains, including the North-East assembled LNER Azuma.
Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston has described the lack of a direct London-bound train from the town as a “staggering gap in basic infrastructure”.
Funding for a business case was set aside for the project by the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA) back in 2018 and a ‘masterplan’ to further develop the station launched in November last year.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said he had now committed £22.5m to the scheme to cover the first phase next year, while an outline business plan was being submitted.
Meanwhile he was continuing to discuss the prospect of daily services to the capital being restored with Government-operated LNER, which runs trains on the East Coast Mainline.
Other planned improvements include a new £6.5m entrance with accompanying business units being created on Zetland Road.
A third phase could see a new platform 3 built to the north of the extended platform 2 to further increase train capacity within the station.
The scheme is a joint partnership between the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority, Network Rail,
Middlesbrough Council and the Department for
Transport.
Mr Houchen said: “Increasing the frequency of services and train routes is a key part of my plan for workers, local jobs and wages to restore our way of life once we’re through the [coronavirus] pandemic.
“I have been leading very positive discussions with LNER and Network Rail to work with them and partners to introduce the first services between London and
Middlesbrough in decades and, as they have told me, the increased station capacity is crucial to achieving this.
“Network Rail expects to start work to expand platform 2 in early 2021, and we’re hoping to get confirmation of a service to London in 2021, which would be a great boost for businesses and people in Middlesbrough.”
Mr Houchen added: “While there are lots of things to consider when planning the introduction of new services, including the supply of rolling stock, the impact of the recent pandemic and infrastructure upgrades across the rail network, I will make sure we play our part in encouraging the operators to bring new services to our region by getting the station ready as quickly as we can.
“Capacity is already stretched and doing nothing is not an option.”
Matt Rice, North and East route director at Network Rail, said: “We’ve been working for many months with Mayor Houchen and the other stakeholders involved in Middlesbrough to move forward the long-held aspiration to secure a direct-to-London train service without unduly impacting the services that already serve the town.
“New infrastructure is one part of the solution and behind the scenes my team are putting together the plans that will see us start building the extension to platform 2 early next year as we start the journey of turning our stakeholders’ ambition to reality.”
Middlesbrough Mayor Andy Preston said: “I’m furious that there are no direct trains to London – this staggering gap in basic infrastructure is a symptom of major historic problems here.
“So thank God that this is finally being sorted. Well done Ben Houchen and everyone involved.”
A revamped, extended Middlesbrough station would be a boost for ambitious plans to build three new skyscrapers, a digital campus, a 750-seat indoor amphitheatre beneath a glass atrium and a 400-seat outdoor amphitheatre unveiled by Mr Preston last year.
Described as the biggest single investment in Middlesbrough’s history, the plans aim to turn Middlesbrough into a centre for digital and creative activity.
Mr Preston said: “Direct trains will boost our progress towards creating the UK’s digital city and countless jobs in the oldest part of Middlesbrough.”
Middlesbrough's Labour MP Andy McDonald said he welcomed the investment as "way overdue", but doubted it would bring in the full rail services that had previously been promised.
He also warned of massive disruption to existing Northern and TransPennine Express services because of delays in getting the required track, signalling and platform work done.
Mr McDonald, who was not at a media photocall at the station, claimed Mr Houchen's Conservative party colleagues had been responsible for previous delays with the project and bemoaned the lack of investment in the region to date.
He said: “As the people of Middlesbrough know, I’ve been working with all the stakeholders for the necessary upgrades to Middlesbrough Station for many years.
"Those involved with the project have stuck at it doggedly despite the knock backs and delays caused by Mr Houchen’s Tories."
