Member Article

Government boosts North East transport with £4.4m funding for Horden railway

Durham County Council has won £4.4m in funding from the second round of the Department for Transport’s New Stations Fund.

The money will go towards a £10.55m scheme to create a railway station at Horden, Peterlee.

The announcement comes as part of a wider, £16m government investment in rail services UK-wide.

Cllr Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council, explained the importance of the deal to the local economy.

He commented: “We are delighted with today’s announcement from the Department of Transport, which marks a significant milestone in the project to create a railway station at Horden.

“The station, which we expect to be complete by 2020, will greatly enhance commuters’ ability to reach employment sites across the region and will be served by more than 20 trains a day heading north and south. It will also act as a park and ride, with spaces for more than 100 commuters.

“We believe it will serve as a significant focus for regeneration in this coastal community.

“There is already considerable support for this project regionally, with funding already in place from the North East Combined Authority and ourselves, and it is good to see this has now been nationally recognised.”

Rail Minister Paul Maynard said: “We are committed to improving journeys for passengers right across the country. This means delivering more trains, quicker journeys and making more seats available.

“The new stations fund is a great example of how our record investment in the railways and work with local authorities and industry is delivering better journeys for passengers and boosting local economies.”

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