Work to restore the glass canopy over Whitley Bay station on the Tyne & Wear Metro has finally been completed.

An event was held at the station yesterday, Thursday, 20th March, to mark the completion of a two-year major project to restore the Grade II listed structure.

The restoration was part of the Metro Asset Renewal Programme and involved the installation of 1,296 new panes of glass and the strengthening and repainting of the steelwork.

Glazing directly above the Metro tracks has also been reinstated to provide a more sheltered environment for customers, as well as new lighting, a new public address system, and new CCTV cameras.

The focus of work was on the canopy, which was built in 1910 and has been carefully restored to its former glory. Throughout the work, the station remained open, although with some disruption, and now looks better than it has done for decades.

To maintain the canopy’s condition and appearance, the new glazing is more robust and easier to maintain.

Ironwork on two smaller canopies that run along the front of the station, as well as the atrium, are also being restored to their former glory, and there are plans to restore the station’s historic footbridge, which require its closure until the works are complete.

Throughout the Project, Whitley Bay Metro station remained open, as well as three businesses based there: an artisan cafe called Dil & the Bear, a craft ale bar called the Ticket Office, and a yoga studio called The Yoga Station.

At the nearby Monkseaton Metro station, colourful stained glass artworks in the station canopy’s gable ends are also being restored.

“Whitley Bay is one of our beautiful historic stations along North Tyneside coast, and the Edwardian glass canopy is its crowning glory. I’m delighted that this major project has restored the glazing, replacing more than 1,000 panes of glass and making it stronger for the future. We hope the station continues welcoming residents and visitors to the wonderful town of Whitley Bay and our award-winning seafront for another 100 years.”

Elected Mayor of North Tyneside, Dame Norma Redfearn DBE