Darlington Station Extension/Re-modelling

[DarloRich]

Have some faith

A PS: I am also concerned about the architectural impact to the existing structure of the station and as a former resident of one of the streets of Neasham Road for impact on the people who live in that area.

 

[ainsworth74]

When I first saw the massive headline cost I assumed it included a flyover so that the almost 200 year tradition of direct travel from Stockton to Shildon, Bishop Auckland & now bustling Newton Ayckiffe would continue.

I'll have to check some old timetables but there's not been direct trains between Stockton and Shildon, Bishop and Newyon Aycliffe for a while I think! Several decades at least I'd gamble!

A PS: I am also concerned about the architectural impact to the existing structure of the station and as a former resident of one of the streets of Neasham Road for impact on the people who live in that area.

Yes that's a valid concern though I think Network Rail have proven themselves to be pretty good stewards of our architectural heritage in the main. As an aside I always feel like we dodged a bullet that BR never got around to modernising the ECML until the 80s by which time the grand stations we had were appreciated for their splendour rather than being demolished and turned into concrete boxes like happened to several WCML stations.

As for the local residents I think, once construction related traffic and noise is done, they won't be adversely affected. There might be more traffic between roughly Victoria Street and Yarm Road as that's where this planned "transport interchange" is going to be and I suspect that they may put some of the pick up/drop off facility over there as well (but that's a hunch). But also a valid concern!

 

[Norm_D_Ploom]

the involvement of this chap and the clown elected in Darlo is WHY I don't have much faith. Cos play and fudges are my fears That and knocking down Hogans and the East End club!

Thanks - I will have a good look at the planning docs as it has been a while since I did.

Knocking down Hooligans and the west cem wouldn't be a bad thing.

 

[DarloRich]

Knocking down Hooligans and the west cem wouldn't be a bad thing.

it is if you like a cheap pint!

 

[swt_passenger]

Regarding the planning applications, (unless my searching has failed completely), I‘m fairly sure that the Network Raill application for the new platforms and new overbridge is not yet online.

On the west side the main application is 21/00691/DC - it is all council work external to the station, basically to demolish certain buildings, pedestrianise the approaches, and remove car parking from the entrance building. There is a very minor listed building consent 21/00750/DCLB required by Network Rail to put a new entrance through a low brick wall into the existing off street car park, just south of the entrance building.

On the east side the main planning application 21/00688/DC - again it is basically a council sponsored application to do street works, property demolition, build a transport interchange and a multi story car park. This is a much larger package of info, but although it shows the probable location of the platforms, and a probable overbridge position, it is definitely not covering those areas in detail.

Note.
I haven’t provided links to the planning applications because such links almost always time out.
The website is here if anyone wants to look up the details:

View planning applications online

Your portal to view current and old planning applications in Darlington

www.darlington.gov.uk

 

[ainsworth74]

Regarding the planning applications, (unless my searching has failed completely), I‘m fairly sure that the Network Raill application for the new platforms and new overbridge is not yet online.

Yes I assume that those might still be tied up in deciding on the final layout changes (for instance is it going to be two through platforms and one bay or two bays with one through platform?) plus I guess at least some of it is probably within the bounds of railway land anyway so, apart from the listed building consent issue, don't Network Rail only need to apply for planning permission in order to be a good neighbour rather than as a legal requirement? Whereas the stuff that's already been applied for was broadly outwith the railway boundary I believe.

 

[swt_passenger]

Yes I assume that those might still be tied up in deciding on the final layout changes (for instance is it going to be two through platforms and one bay or two bays with one through platform?) plus I guess at least some of it is probably within the bounds of railway land anyway so, apart from the listed building consent issue, don't Network Rail only need to apply for planning permission in order to be a good neighbour rather than as a legal requirement? Whereas the stuff that's already been applied for was broadly outwith the railway boundary I believe.

There‘ll probably be a variety of different applications by NR, certainly listed building consent will be needed to break through the trainshed wall. I think with any permitted development the local authority still needs an application to explain why, but can also have a right to check issues such as materials.

 

[ainsworth74]

I think with any permitted development the local authority still needs an application to explain why, but can also have a right to check issues such as materials.

That makes sense, it is absolutely not an area I'm knowledgeable!

 

[swt_passenger]

That makes sense, it is absolutely not an area I'm knowledgeable!

I’ve tried to find a useful online summary without much success, usually theres an application for “prior approval” which appears in the usual planning application register. It sort of says “this is what we intend to do under permitted development rights, unless you tell us why we can’t”.

But another option that sometimes appears, an example being the TW Metro redoubling, is an application for a “certificate of lawful development” also a means of confirming that the applicant could use its permitted development rights.

But I’m sure it keeps a good number of town planners in work…

 

[marsker]

I'll have to check some old timetables but there's not been direct trains between Stockton and Shildon, Bishop and Newyon Aycliffe for a while I think! Several decades at least I'd gamble!

That's very true if you restricy your definition of Stockton to the station of that name. However Allens West, Eaglescliffe and Thornaby are all in the Borough of Stockton. I understand that, particularly at peak times, there is quite a lot of cross-Darlington traffic on these trains, particularly from the Bishop Auckland line into the Tees Valley conurbation. The new station design will do nothing for this traffic.

 

[800001]

That's very true if you restricy your definition of Stockton to the station of that name. However Allens West, Eaglescliffe and Thornaby are all in the Borough of Stockton. I understand that, particularly at peak times, there is quite a lot of cross-Darlington traffic on these trains, particularly from the Bishop Auckland line into the Tees Valley conurbation. The new station design will do nothing for this traffic.

It still hadn't been confirmed wether Bishop Auckland to Teesside traffic will be split at Darlington into separate services

 

[eastdyke]

Documents are under a specific link

Darlington station improvements

Tees Valley Combined Authority, in partnership with the Council, Network Rail and LNER, is planning a comprehensive improvement project at Darlington Station.

www.darlington.gov.uk

Part quotes:

Darlington station improvements​

Tees Valley Combined Authority, in partnership with the Council, Network Rail and LNER, is planning a comprehensive improvement project at Darlington station and the Council is leading on the development of land immediately to the east and west of the existing station (the Neasham Road side and the Victoria Road side).
The project will deliver the biggest transformation of the station area in decades providing modern, pedestrian-friendly travel interchanges for the town and the wider region.

In parallel to this, improvements within the existing station building are also being planned by Network Rail.

This includes further links to 2 planning applications and a further application for listed building consent:

• Station gateway east planning application
• Station gateway west planning application
• Listed building consent application

I too can find no further documents from Network Rail.

 

[Meole]

Work on new Darlington railway station to begin next summer - and this is when it will be finished

CONSTRUCTION work which is part of a multi-million project to transform Darlington railway station will start as early as next summer.

www.thenorthernecho.co.uk

Work on new Darlington railway station to begin next summer​

CONSTRUCTION work which is part of a multi-million project to transform Darlington railway station will start as early as next summer.

The £105million plan to transform the station drew a step closer as planning approval was granted for the eastern gateway element in October.

This will see the station receive a brand new entrance, station building, concourse and upgrade to its transport links.
It forms part of the wider scheme, which will create three new platforms on the east side of the existing station to accommodate current and future services, a new footbridge and an upgrade to the western side of the station to make it easier to reach, which has also been approved by planners.