£10.55m County Durham train station project to boost rail links across the region

Work has begun on a new £10.55m railway station which is anticipated to bring improved transport links and an economic boost to the North East region.

The development of the new station at County Durham town Horden, near Peterlee, is expected to strengthen the area’s links to local, regional and national rail networks.

Cllr Simon Henig, leader of Durham County Council, commented: “I am very pleased to see the start of work on a development which will bring much improved transport links for residents in the east of the county.

“The development will open up employment opportunities for local people while at the same time providing a direct connection to our coastline for visitors travelling from further afield.”

Durham County Council has been working closely with Network Rail and Northern Railway on the project, which is being funded by the authority, with £4.4 million from the Department for Transport’s New Stations Fund and a grant from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

The project will see the creation of a 139-space car park and new bus stops as well as the development of the station itself, including two 100-metre platforms with shelters connected by an accessible footbridge.

Completion of the station’s redevelopment is scheduled for spring 2020, and it is anticipated that 70,000 passengers could use the station each year.

Speaking about the project, Rail Minister Andrew Jones added: “This demonstrates our commitment to deliver new stations and services right across the country, as we invest £48 billion in the biggest rail modernisation programme for over a century.

“I am pleased that the new station at Horden will open up the north east of the county, improve transport links for residents and create more jobs for local people.”

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