Mayor 'frustrated' at delays to work at railway station

THE Tees Valley mayor has said it is "deeply frustrating" that work to transform Darlington train station won't be completed this year.

- By DAVID HODGSON

Conservative Ben Houchen made the comments as Network Rail confirmed that despite “strong” progress, the station project completion date has been pushed back from December 2025 to spring 2026.

The adjusted date factors in additional design requirements to fully weatherproof the new footbridge connecting the Victorian station with the new eastern concourse building and platforms five and six.

Network Rail has also confirmed that buses and coaches will replace trains to and from Darlington station over the weekend of October 11 and 12.

This will affect passengers using LNER, Cross Country, TPE and Northern. Passengers are being advised to plan ahead with their respective operator.

Likely delays to the completion of work at Darlington station were raised in the agenda for TVCA’s transport committee, which was due to be held on Tuesday (but was inquorate), with documents highlighting that the new station and platforms probably wouldn't be able to open in time for the upcoming timetable change, which is due to kick in during December.