We were pleased to welcome Peter Wood (just retired Sunderland councillor), and Matt Croasdale & Keith Anderson from Northern Trains to give us an update on Coastline affairs.
Sunderland
Redevelopment of the south concourse is nearing completion and will incorporate a new travel centre, staff accommodation, lifts, and escalators. The scheme has cost £15.4m and should open in September. The hoped for future remodelling of the north entrance and opening of two new platforms remains a long-term objective but still awaits funds to develop the business case.
Hartlepool
The rebuilding of Platform 3 with appropriate lifts and footbridge has been delayed by supply problems, particularly steelwork, and is now hoped to be completed at the end of August. The additional Middlesbrough – Newcastle semi-fast service will not start until the platform is complete and obtained Office of Road and Rail approval. At first this will be a train every two hours, but it is hoped to double the frequency when more 156 Sprinter DMUs become available in May next year.
There is an emergency exit from Platform 3 at the east end of the platform and negotiations continue with Jomast (the property owners) over the possibility of a passenger entrance at the west end in due course.
During the Tall Ships event (6th to 9th July) it is anticipated that the station will see a footfall of 9000 passengers each day. All Northern trains will be four cars as far as possible and there will be a shuttle train in addition between Darlington and Hartlepool terminating in Platform 1.
Seaton Carew
A ‘’safe station’ project is being developed to include improved lighting.
Billingham
This station when finished will accommodate 4-car trains. The completion of the lifts is held up because of an unresolved issue regarding metering of the electricity supply.
Eaglescliffe
The exiting ramps are being retained and lifts added for accessibility. The footbridge will be extended to a new entrance and car park west of the line.
Middlesbrough
Though this is a TPE managed station it is understood that this project is also delayed by problems with steel supply. The station is operating at full capacity and other than the new Newcastle semi-fast service no further trains can be accommodated unless the proposed Platform 3 is built.