BAM gets green signal for Darlington Station overhaul

10 October 2023 - BAM will help deliver a £150 million overhaul of Darlington Station over the next two years following the approval of a transformative project which includes modernised stairways and a state-of-the-art new entrance hall.

Darlington Station’s revamp will include two new platforms on the Eastern side of the station and a new car park when complete in 2025.

The project, overseen by Network Rail, LNER, the Department for Transport and Darlington Borough Council will be delivered by main contractors BAM and Willmott Dixon.

New CGI images of the station’s East Side show a striking walkway route via the roof arches of the old station. The station redevelopment will also include a multi-storey car park, transport interchange and gateway entrance connected to Central Park.

Once completed, the station will provide secure parking for more than 600 cars with disabled bays and electric car charging points available.

Nissar Mohammed, Rail Director for BAM, said: ‘BAM is delighted to work in collaboration with Network Rail, the Tees Valley Combined Authority, and other partners on this transformative project at Darlington Station. The new-look station will provide a fantastic modern entrance to Darlington, transforming the passenger experience. We look forward to engaging with the local community and suppliers in the North East, to ensure the project provides maximum benefit to the region.’

Tees Valley Mayor, Ben Houchen, said: ‘Giving Darlington the gateway it deserves is vital to its future and the wider region’s need for better connections. Our rail network has been restrained for too long – and this immense project with its cutting-edge interchange will cut journey times and give Darlington a station it can be proud of. It will also boost investment and make our region even more attractive to investors.’

Luke Durston, Principal Programme Sponsor for Network Rail’s East Coast Route, said: ‘We’re delighted to be working so closely with Tees Valley Combined Authority and other partners to deliver vast improvements to Darlington station. Network Rail will be installing two new platforms at the station which will improve services along the East Coast Main Line, helping to increase reliability along the route. Increased platform capacity and the Combined Authority’s wider improvements to the station will go hand-in-hand to deliver a transformed passenger experience.’

The overhaul is on track to be complete in time for the 2025 Stockton and Darlington Railway bicentennial celebrations.