Now Ready: Darlington Station Overhaul And Transformation Marks Completion

Our region’s biggest rail project for generations has been completed.

The transformation of Darlington Station has been finished – with a new entrance hall and car park, two new station platforms to free up capacity on our rail network, and a new walkway through into the historic station all due to open to the public on Sunday (17 May).

Dignatories and special guests marked the milestone in a celebration event on Friday morning (15 May) with a journey to York and back aboard the LNER Azuma train ‘Darlington’ from the brand-new Platform 5, and an appearance from Darlington-built steam locomotive ‘Tornado’ on the new Platform 6.

The new station project was delivered by the Tees Valley Combined Authority, Network Rail, LNER, the Department for Transport and Darlington Borough Council, with the Combined Authority contributing £45million to the project.

The new car park includes secure parking for 654 cars, including accessible parking bays and electric car charging points.

New short stay drop off spaces, cycle parking and walkways have also been created outside the new entrance hall.

The project in numbers:

• 45 Apprentices Employed
• 2,500+ People Employed on the Project
• 1,590 Tonnes of Steel Used
• 654 New Parking Spaces
• 724,492 Labour Hours on Project
• 335 Metres of New Platform Installed
• 3,800 Metres of New Rail Installed
• 15,300 Tonnes of Rail Ballast Laid

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Our transformation of Darlington Station is one of the most significant infrastructure projects for our region in a generation. It will deliver improved rail services, provide modern facilities for passengers and ensure the station is fit for the demands of the 21st century.

“Crucially, this investment will also help in strengthening our connections to London and the rest of the UK, attracting new businesses, creating jobs, and opening up new opportunities for local people.

“The project lays down a huge marker to the rest of the country in showing what we can achieve when we work together in Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.”

Cllr Steve Harker, TVCA Cabinet Member for Transport and Infrastructure, and Leader of Darlington Borough Council, added: “This is a major project for Darlington and the whole Tees Valley which will improve access both inside and outside our region.

“The changes to the platforms and track at Darlington railway station benefit both mainline and local Tees Valley services. More mainline services can stop at Darlington per hour than before. And, it means we can have a more regular and predictable timetable for local services into the Tees Valley.

“It’s a major project for Darlington which fits with the ambitions we have in our borough, including some of the important developments taking shape in our town centre now.

“We hope it shows what is possible when we work together – and it proves to be a great example of what we can achieve.”

For the opening event, entertainment was provided by young brass musicians from Durham Music Service, which supports children and young people across Darlington and County Durham.

Guests also enjoyed performances from award-winning Darlington singer-songwriter Hayley McKay and North East folk musician Billy Mitchell, known for his work with Lindisfarne and the Pitmen Poets.

Rail Minister, Lord Hendy, and Darlington MP Lola McAvoy were also among those who spoke at the event.

Final connected highways work around the station will be completed through 2026.