Multi-million-pound improvements that will change the face of Newcastle’s historic Central Station have taken a major step forward.
Last year Newcastle City Council and partners announced plans to open-up access to the Victorian station, improve traffic flows in front, accommodate more passengers and change taxi pick-up points and short stay parking. Residents, taxi drivers and Historic England were consulted.
Now planners have given the green light for the works to begin after granting Listed Building Consent in this, the station’s, 170th year.
Artist’s impressions show two new entrances into the station.
One in the west which will take passengers from Central Parkway into the station to a new concourse, and a second at the front of the station on Neville Street where a car rental business is currently located.
In January the Cabinet approved a revised development framework that gives developers guidance on investing in the Forth Yards area south west of the station. That could lead to a new a multi-storey car park, office space and up to 2,500 homes on the 22-hectare site.
Welcoming the Listed Building Consent, Cabinet Member for Employment and Culture, Cllr Ged Bell, said: “This is great news for the city.
“Newcastle Central Station is the gateway to the region. With rising passenger numbers, we need to ensure it offers a pleasant experience while playing its part to help the city recover and grow after the pandemic.
“The new entrances will open the station up to the wider area – Stephenson Quarter, and the Forth Yards area that will be the city’s next big development site providing quality homes with views of the river.
“By improving traffic flows at the front of the station we hope to cut carbon emissions, helping the city become carbon-zero by 2030 and tackling climate change.
“Central Station was opened by Queen Victoria and is a Grade I listed building.
“Although some demolition will be required, opening it up will expose original features that have been hidden away for years and will take the building back to the way it looked in 1850.”
Claire Ansley, Director of Customer Experience at LNER, who manages the station, said: “We are pleased that the plans to enhance Newcastle Central Station have been approved. The enhancements we’re making will help make the station more accessible from the surrounding areas and provide an even warmer welcome to the thousands of people travelling to and from the city every day.”
Paul McKeown, Investment Director for Network Rail, said: “This is a fantastic project and receiving listed building consent brings us one step closer to realising these improvements.
“We’re delighted to be a part of this vital scheme and will continue to work closely with both Newcastle City Council and LNER on these improvements, which will open up the station and make it more pleasant for passengers.”
With Listed Building Consent now granted it’s expected work on site will begin later in the year.
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