Multi-million pound plans for Darlington station to improve rail connection across the North

Plans to make sure Darlington train station benefits from it's links to the HS2 project have been unveiled today.

The town is on the route for the high speed project connecting London to Northern towns and cities.

Today's event in Darlington revealed plans to remodel the station and create dedicated platforms for local connections and future high speed services.

The programme will enhance rail connections across the North, on the East Coast Main Line, as an integral part of the HS2 network, and across the Tees Valley.

Benefits of the plans are set to include:

  • A £130 million boost to the economy annually, amounting to up to £1 billion overall.

  • More than 3,000 direct and indirect jobs created

  • 98,500 square metres of commercial space

  • 1,500 new homes

  • 1:29 journey time from Darlington to Birmingham, a reduction of 52 minutes

  • 1:52 journey time from Darlington to London, a reduction of 28 minutes

  • 1:10 journey time from Darlington to Manchester, a reduction of 45 minutes

The programme sets out new plans for the reconfiguration of the rail infrastructure around the station, leading to improved services across the Tees Valley, County Durham and North Yorkshire, and better freight connections from Teesport.

Councillor Bill Dixon, Leader of Darlington Borough Council and Chair of the Tees Valley Transport Committee said:

Commenting on the vision Paul Griffiths, Phase 2b Development Director at HS2 said:

The programme is a collaboration between the Tees Valley Combined Authority and Darlington Council, working with Network Rail and Virgin Trains to develop a vision for the regeneration of the East Coast mainline at Darlington.

David Brown, Chief Executive, Transport for North, said: