Improvements costing multi-millions of pounds will change the face of Newcastle's Central station forever.
Last year, along with partners, Newcastle City Council announced plans to open up access at the station to improve traffic flow, accommodate more passengers and change the taxi pick up points.
Now, however, planners have given the green light for the work to start after granting Listed Building Consent.
Artist impressions have also revealed the look of two new entrances to the station. One in the west will take passengers from Central Parkway into the station, and to a new station concourse. A second entrance will be at the front of the station on Neville Street where a car rental business is located currently.
In January, the Cabinet approved a development framework that gives developers guidance on investing in the Forth Yards area to the south-west of the station.
This could lead to a new multi-storey car park, office space and up to 2,500 homes.
Welcoming the Listed Building Consent, Cabinet Member for Employment and Culture, Cllr Ged Bell, said: “This is great news for the city. Newcastle Central Station is the gateway to the region. With rising passenger numbers, we need to ensure it offers a pleasant experience while playing its part to help the city recover and grow after the pandemic.
“The new entrances will open the station up to the wider area – Stephenson Quarter, and the Forth Yards area that will be the city's next big development site providing quality homes with views of the river. By improving traffic flows at the front of the station we hope to cut carbon emissions, helping the city become carbon-zero by 2030 and tackling climate change. Central Station was opened by Queen Victoria and is a Grade I listed building.
“Although some demolition will be required, opening it up will expose original features that have been hidden away for years and will take the building back to the way it looked in 1850.”
Claire Ansley, Director of Customer Experience at LNER, who manages the station, said: “We are pleased that the plans to enhance Newcastle Central Station have been approved. The enhancements we're making will help make the station more accessible from the surrounding areas and provide an even warmer welcome to the thousands of people travelling to and from the city every day.”
Paul McKeown, Investment Director for Network Rail, said: “This is a fantastic project and receiving listed building consent brings us one step closer to realising these improvements. We're delighted to be a part of this vital scheme and will continue to work closely with both Newcastle City Council and LNER on these improvements, which will open up the station and make it more pleasant for passengers.”
It is expected that work will start later in 2020 on the new-look station, which is used by nearly 9 million passengers a year.
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I thought Newcastle Station had a major facelift only a few years ago?
Ornis this a different station in Newcastle?
*Or is!
And what about Manors station (not Tyne & Wear Metro station). With longer platforms and a replacement of the footbridge and Northern to introduce a new stopping service between Newcastle and Chathill & Berwick-upon-Tweed. Using Class 331 CAF Civity EMUs or Class 322/Class 333 EMU units.