£35m Middlesbrough Station renovation takes shape

Structures for the £35m transformation of Middlesbrough Station are taking shape - with a 200-tonne crane lifting in British steel.

Teams are hard at work on the next phase of the vital scheme which will breathe new life into the station undercroft, create new walkways and spaces for businesses, and boost capacity for more rail services.

Steel from British Steel is being lifted in for the overhaul – with Middlesbrough-based CB Construction (Cleveland) Ltd overseeing the fabrication. The 40 tonnes of mainly beams and columns will form part of the ticket hall, new staircase, wall structures and undercroft.

This second part of the scheme being carried out by Story Contracting on behalf of Network Rail is seeing the current ticket hall stairs removed, a new staircase built off the central thoroughfare, open public space at the east end of the former car park, and a new pedestrian walkway created between Zetland Road at the south of the station and the existing subway.

An extension to the existing Platform 2 to cater for intercity rail services and a new Platform 3 to accommodate the planned increase in passenger rail services in the coming years are all part of the huge revamp.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “Making a new gateway for Middlesbrough has been sorely needed for years and I’m immensely proud of the progress we’re all making in getting the town the station it has long deserved.

“I’m delighted that all the structural steel for the site has come from British Steel – it’s a big endorsement of what we do best. It’s also great to see a Boro firm in CB Construction at the heart of the project – with more jobs on Teesside being supported.

“We’re all pushing in the same direction in Middlesbrough when it comes to making the new Development Corporation a success and the station is another yet another piece in this vital jigsaw.”

Councillor Theo Furness, Middlesbrough Council’s executive member for regeneration, said: “Middlesbrough Station is the focal point of the town’s Historic Quarter, so it’s fantastic to see this important project reach a major milestone.

“This is one of the key gateways to the town and will form a vital first impression for those arriving here by train. We also have a long and proud history of steel making along this part of the river, and it’s great that we are using British-made steel within the construction. I’m also delighted that local firms and workers are right at the heart of the scheme – we have the experience and skills to deliver a first-class job.”

Gary Sivills, managing director for CB Construction, said: “We’re a local firm proud of where we’re based, and we were very pleased to be chosen by Story Contracting and Network Rail to fabricate the steel for the station project. There’s a lot of hard work going on and it means a lot to us that we’re playing an important role in changing our hometown for the better.”

By Mark Adair – Correspondent, Bdaily

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