Agenda item

Darlington Station

Presentation by Assistant Director – Transport and Capital Projects

Minutes:

The Assistant Director, Transport and Capital Projects gave a PowerPoint presentation, updating Members on the background and progress made to dateon the Darlington Station project.

 

Reference was made to the aspiration for the Tees Valley Rail network, ‘to deliver a high-quality integrated rail network across the Tees Valley that facilitates passenger and freight growth’.

 

Details were provided of the Tees Valley Rail Network and the current capacity restraints; that major improvements at Darlington and Middlesbrough Station would form the building blocks of improving the Tees Valley rail network; and the project objectives were outlined, including the links to the wider regeneration strategies relating to the town centre, central park and rail heritage quarter.

 

It was reported that Darlington station was the only East Coast Main Line station in the Tees Valley and a potential HS2 station; the proposals for the new configuration for Darlington Station were outlined which included the provision for a new south bound platform on the East Coast Main Line and new Tees Valley platforms, removing the need for the Tees Valley Line to cross the East Coast Main Line at the South Junction (however, this would still be possible); and the new configuration would allow improved capacity on the Tees Valley and Bishop Lines; and improve connections.

 

The elements for the delivery of the Darlington Station project and the key features for Station East, Darlington Station and Transport interchange were outlined; the delivery of the project was in two parts with Darlington Borough Council delivering the station gateway and the operational rail and station enhancements led by Network Rail, with a target date for the new track and station being operational in December 2024.

 

Following a question relating to the indicative dates and target dates, particularly in light of 2025 celebrations, the Assistant Director, Transport and Capital Projects confirmed that Network rail and Department for Transport had introduced a new five stage project management process whereby projects must go through 5 gateways, meeting a certain level of confidence at each gateway; and that locally a project management board was in place, chaired by the Tees Valley Mayor, to have oversight of the project and to review progress.

 

In relation to the revenue and capital expectations, an Outline Business Case (OBC) was submitted to government that provided an indicative order of magnitude cost of £85 million for the construction elements and the Department for Transport had approved the scheme to progress to the next stage, and released up to £8.7m to progress the design. With inflation and land costs factored in, the OBC estimated the total order of magnitude cost for the whole project at £105m; this would continue to be refined as the project develops and the next stage would be to submit a Full Business Case (FBC) to government that would include a revised estimate based on the latest design. The FBC would request release of the required funding to deliver the Operational Rail and Station Enhancements elements, with TVCA committing £25m to progress enabling works for the project and to commence the Station Gateway element.

 

Concern was raised by Members in respect of the residents living and working in close proximity to Darlington Station and were assured that discussions were taking place with planning officers to ensure these matters were considered as part of the planning process; in respect of the transport interchange on Victoria road, there would be consultation with residents; and whilst properties had been acquired in the area, Waverley Terrace would not be demolished.

 

Further assurance was provided to Members in respect of the historical integrity; due to the grade II listed status of Darlington Station, there were significant planning processes to adhere to.

 

RESOLVED –That the thanks of this Scrutiny Committee be extended to the Assistant Director, Transport and Capital Projects for his informative and interesting presentation.

Supporting documents: