Horden station receives planning permission

09th January 2019
Plans to build a new station at Horden in east Durham have now been given the go ahead with initial work on the £10.55 million project due to get underway in the next few weeks. The station is expected to be open for passengers in Spring 2020.
The new station will see the creation of two 100 metre platforms with an accessible footbridge, along with a 136-space car park and bus stops. New access roads, footpaths and a cycle path will also be created.
Network Rail have worked alongside Durham County Council on the project and the funding will come from the authority, with with £4.4 million from the Department of Transport’s New Stations Fund and a grant from the North East Local Enterprise Partnership.
The local public have been very supportive of the project, a public consultation in 2016 saw in excess of 1,400 responses with 98.6 of those asked claiming they would make use of the station. With an expected hourly service in each direction providing links to regional destinations and connections further afield, industry projections anticipate that 70,000 passengers will use the station annually.
Cllr Simon Henig, Leader of Durham County Council, said: “The new station will significantly improve transport links in the east of the county, providing a boost to the economy and widening employment opportunities for local residents. It has been a long time in the making with a lot of hard work involved so it is particularly pleasing that work can now start on a project that will also have knock-on benefits for the wider county.”
Rail Minster Andrew Jones said: This is another success story for the government’s New Stations Fund and further demonstrates our commitment to delivering better journeys across the north. Alongside major investment in the £2.9 billion Transpennine route upgrade and the £780 million East Coast mainline upgrade, this new station will improve journey times and connections across the region. I look forward to seeing the new Horden station providing much-needed new rail links for passengers and a boost to the local economy.”
Rob McIntosh, Route Managing Director for Network Rail, said: “We are delighted to be working with Durham County Council, North East Local Enterprise Partnership and the Department for Transport on the design and delivery of the new station for Horden, which will bring significant benefit for passengers and to the community. This vital project will make sure we can continue to provide a railway which meets the needs of the communities and economies we serve.”
Pete Myers, stakeholder manager at Northern Rail, said: “We are thrilled to be supporting the opening of Horden Peterlee train station. The new station will not only improve the transport offering in the local area but will also provide a useful transport link for residents who work in Newcastle, Sunderland, Hartlepool and Teesside.”
Helen Golightly, Chief Executive of the North East Local Enterprise Partnership, said: “It is good news to hear that the development of Horden Station is moving to the next stage. The North East LEP has contributed £3.34m of local growth funding to improve the connectivity for East Durham residents and businesses to link directly to the national rail network.”
Author: Darren Porter
Image: Network Rail