A new hourly service for Eaglescliffe Railway Station is to
launch on Sunday (15 December) as progress to overhaul access at
the site continues apace.
The station will see the TransPennine Express service between
Manchester Airport and Redcar stop in both directions for the
first time.
It comes as efforts to install a new pedestrian footbridge to
boost accessibility to the west of the station, and to Durham
Lane Industrial Estate, continue as part of a wider revamp.
The £15.3million rail project has seen £8.8million come from the
Combined Authority with £7.5million from Network Rail.
Three lifts will be installed connecting the existing and new car
park and Eaglescliffe's island platform with the current
footbridge to provide easier access for passengers.
The station taxi office is being rebuilt with a new brick waiting
shelter and ticket counter also created on the platform.
Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This new service to
Eaglescliffe is another boost to our region's transport network
and builds on the good progress we're making on improving
stations across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.
“Eaglescliffe can now add Manchester to its London link but it's
vitally important we sort out access once and for all.
“Getting to the far side of the station has been far too
difficult for many people – and we're making sure using it
becomes quicker and easier for everyone.
“We've shown with work at Hartlepool, Billingham and Darlington
that we're getting railway stations sorted and I'm looking
forward to seeing Eaglescliffe added to that list before the end
of next year.”
Chris Jackson, Managing Director at TransPennine Express, added:
“We're so pleased to be able to introduce these new services at
Eaglescliffe which will make a real difference to the area.
“We have seen great achievements across TPE in the past 12
months, in particular, with cancellations reduced by 70% and,
thanks to our customers old and new having confidence to travel
with us, we have become the second fastest growing train company
in the UK.
“TPE is bringing back and adding new services and additional
seats across our network as we change our timetable this Sunday
and we urge customers to check before they travel in case there
are changes to their regular journeys.”
The existing footbridge is also being renewed and retained to
ensure access to the station is retained during the overhaul. It
will also provide a second emergency exit.
Anna Weeks, principal programme sponsor for Network Rail's North
& East route, said: “The multi-million pound project at
Eaglescliffe will vastly improve the customer experience, with
accessibility being a primary focus of the enhancements.
“The work is an example of the great strides being delivered
across the region, and the new hourly service will provide more
connections and reasons to travel to and from Eaglescliffe by
train.”
A new car park led by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is also
set to be created near the station and this will come alongside
work to offer better cycle access to Eaglescliffe.
These are being funded by the Government's City Region
Sustainable Transport Settlement and the Levelling Up Fund
allocation for Stockton South respectively, which were both
secured by the Local Authority.
Cllr Bob Cook, Leader of Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council and
Combined Authority Cabinet Member, added: “Eaglescliffe Station
is a key transport link for the Tees Valley because it connects
with major stations up and down the country.
“The improved transport links and accessibility is great for the
area as it will play a key role in helping attract more
businesses to Eaglescliffe, which is already home to lots of
great firms and businesses like Tata Consumer Products,
Returnable Packaging Services and Nifco.
“The new car park, which will be located on part of the Durham
Lane site purchased by the Council, and new cycleways both
complement the wider improvements being made.”
In a change to the timetable, TransPennine services between
Manchester Airport and Saltburn will only operate to Redcar
Central for most of the day.
However, a number of trains will continue to serve Saltburn in
the morning, afternoon and evening.
These come following a request from the Combined Authority to
ensure the seaside town is still served by the operator.
