Middlesbrough railway station masterplan

[Riverside Redz]

No spades anywhere near the ground. Looking at the Tees Valley Combined Authority cabinet papers for their most recent meeting (28 March 2025), specifically the attached document, suggests that they're still working on project development which is expected to conclude in August 2025. Project delivery is expected to commence in January 2026 with completion in March 2027.

The document also has various other updates but they would be matters for alternative threads

At least following today’s news we know this will definitely happen now

 

[800001]

At least following today’s news we know this will definitely happen now

We hope it will happen, how many times have we been told it’s happening, the funding is there etc etc

 

[Riverside Redz]

We hope it will happen, how many times have we been told it’s happening, the funding is there etc etc

That was the problem really , the only real rigid timescale was produced last year with the funding constraint of the CRTTS 2 funding that was allocated by Rishi in 2023 but was put on hold since Labour got into power. With this money officially being given the green light today I fully expect the platform to be done for March 2027

 

[Last Orders]

This is indeed excellent news although I will be more confident of a third platform being delivered when I actually see the proverbial spades in the ground. It would be to have a date for the commencement of the work.

 

[Riverside Redz]

This is indeed excellent news although I will be more confident of a third platform being delivered when I actually see the proverbial spades in the ground. It would be to have a date for the commencement of the

The below image shows the planned timescale (available at https://teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/about/...Committee-11-March-2025-Agenda-and-Papers.pdf) with the only barrier being the CRTTS 2 funding I alluded to earlier.

As of yesterday this funding was confirmed for this project along with many others for the tees valley:

£1bn for Teesside transport

Image of key section from the article below

Teesside is to receive £1bn towards improving its transport network, Chancellor Rachel Reeves has announced.

Among the projects earmarked for the funds is a new platform three at Middlesbrough train station to increase the number of services.

 

[darloscott]

The below image shows the planned timescale (available at https://teesvalley-ca.gov.uk/about/...Committee-11-March-2025-Agenda-and-Papers.pdf) with the only barrier being the CRTTS 2 funding I alluded to earlier.

As of yesterday this funding was confirmed for this project along with many others for the tees valley:

£1bn for Teesside transport

Image of key section from the article below

There are Transport Committee meetings planned for 13th June (delayed from 27 May) and 16th June as per the TVCA website so hopefully we will get some clarity on work schedules going forwards. Given these have been waiting since late 2023 I’m sure they’ll be keen to get work moving as soon as possible!

 

[ainsworth74]

There are Transport Committee meetings planned for 13th June (delayed from 27 May) and 16th June as per the TVCA website so hopefully we will get some clarity on work schedules going forwards. Given these have been waiting since late 2023 I’m sure they’ll be keen to get work moving as soon as possible!

I can't imagine that the timescale will change much from the March 2025 meeting where it was project development to finish in August 2025 and work to start in January 2026 with delivery by March 2027. I do shake my head at why we've needed a moths long "project development" phase when it seems like the plans were finalised a few years ago but I guess it wouldn't be a British infrastructure project if we didn't spend years reviewing and studying the options to confirm that the first option we chose was the correct one and has remained the correct one in the intervening span of years as we delay to continue to studying all the options.

 

[bearhugger]

Listening to our local BBC Tees radio station at work yesterday afternoon there was an interview with Ben Houchen in which he seems to say that the 3rd platform wouldn't happen this year but spades should be in the ground next year.

 

[ainsworth74]

Listening to our local BBC Tees radio station at work yesterday afternoon there was an interview with Ben Houchen in which he seems to say that the 3rd platform wouldn't happen this year but spades should be in the ground next year.

First of all commiserations on having to hear from Houchen about anything other than his resignation for allowing two property developers to apparently make off with millions of pounds of taxpayer money, but secondly that does tend to suggest that the previous announced timeline is still the one their working towards.

 

[bearhugger]

First of all commiserations on having to hear from Houchen about anything other than his resignation for allowing two property developers to apparently make off with millions of pounds of taxpayer money, but secondly that does tend to suggest that the previous announced timeline is still the one their working towards.

I think what I find annoying about Middlesbrough Station work is that the carpark outside the booking office entrance was closed due to the undercroft being in an unsafe condition and it's taken donkeys years to finally get somewhere. The carpark closed while I was a mature student at Teesside University as i used to travel in from Marton Station (James Cook hadn't been built). I turned 40 whilst at uni, I'm now 52! Even this thread which started with the announcement of the station masterplan is now 7 years old.

 

[ainsworth74]

I think what I find annoying about Middlesbrough Station work is that the carpark outside the booking office entrance was closed due to the undercroft being in an unsafe condition and it's taken donkeys years to finally get somewhere. The carpark closed while I was a mature student at Teesside University as i used to travel in from Marton Station (James Cook hadn't been built). I turned 40 whilst at uni, I'm now 52! Even this thread which started with the announcement of the station masterplan is now 7 years old.

Yep it's taken a very very very long time to get anywhere at all hasn't it? I do think the works have been really beneficial overall. The new entrance onto Zetland Road is really good and I use it most days, as is the new stairs down to the subway from the concourse rather than the booking office. But good grief it's taken so long to get sorted and we're still a couple of years away from the final piece slotting into place.

Disappointing as well that the little staircase from Zetland road up to the carpark remains closed and derelict. I'm sure I read somewhere that there's no plans to do anything with it either as it "wasn't in the budgeted works" even though it looks like it just need a crew with a weeder and jet wash to recommission it

 

[Riverside Redz]

I can't imagine that the timescale will change much from the March 2025 meeting where it was project development to finish in August 2025 and work to start in January 2026 with delivery by March 2027. I do shake my head at why we've needed a moths long "project development" phase when it seems like the plans were finalised a few years ago but I guess it wouldn't be a British infrastructure project if we didn't spend years reviewing and studying the options to confirm that the first option we chose was the correct one and has remained the correct one in the intervening span of years as we delay to continue to studying all the options.

I agree, the timescales have been set for quite a while now however each meeting has slightly reduced the funding colour code due to the uncertainties about the capital funding.

Now this has been confirmed in full as per the report I shared earlier hopefully there will be no barriers in the way and the work will go ahead as planned in January next year

 

[swt_passenger]

Just a cross reference to the point I made in the ECML timetabling thread, where I’d found a track access agreement suggesting the 2 hourly Kings Cross service would start December 2027. So don’t expect the service to start as soon as the platform is available, waiting until the following December seems par for the course…

 

[Riverside Redz]

Just a cross reference to the point I made in the ECML timetabling thread, where I’d found a track access agreement suggesting the 2 hourly Kings Cross service would start December 2027. So don’t expect the service to start as soon as the platform is available, waiting until the following December seems par for the course…

I do remember this and almost mentioned it but couldn’t remember where it was posted.

All fits in nicely for the planned timescales with LNER allowing a period of time in case of delays. One thing I did notice was the wording “we expect to be using the rights by December 2027” I wonder if the platform works seem to go as scheduled to be finished in March 2027 if they would implement this in the May 2027 change.

Am I right in thinking from the recast in December for the ECML a building block is in place with regard to timings to simply extend the York terminators so wouldn’t require any real retimings

 

[800001]

Just a cross reference to the point I made in the ECML timetabling thread, where I’d found a track access agreement suggesting the 2 hourly Kings Cross service would start December 2027. So don’t expect the service to start as soon as the platform is available, waiting until the following December seems par for the course…

It can’t start until LNER get the new CAF units, that is my understanding, others wise where are you getting the bimodes from to work it?

 

[swt_passenger]

It can’t start until LNER get the new CAF units, that is my understanding, others wise where are you getting the bimodes from to work it?

That‘s not exppained in the TAA. Don't the future CAF units just replace the short 225 sets, the first time a Middlesbrough 2 hourly service was ever mentioned, ie in 2015/16, the CAF units were not even though of. But probably off topic for this thread…


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Am I right in thinking from the recast in December for the ECML a building block is in place with regard to timings to simply extend the York terminators so wouldn’t require any real retimings

I think that’s been confirmed correct in the timetable thread somewhere, I remember asking the same question.

 

[800001]

That‘s not exppained in the TAA. Don't the future CAF units just replace the short 225 sets, the first time a Middlesbrough 2 hourly service was ever mentioned, ie in 2015/16, the CAF units were not even though of. But probably off topic for this thread…


== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 5 Jun 2025 ==



I think that’s been confirmed correct in the timetable thread somewhere, I remember asking the same question.

CAF units are definitely needed, not necessarily to work the Middlesbrough, but possibly to work the Harrogate, that then releases bimode to work the Middlesbrough service.

At the moment, without the CAF units there is not enough bimodes to operate all current bimode necessary services as well as introduce Middlesbrough every 2 hours.

 

[Riverside Redz]

CAF units are definitely needed, not necessarily to work the Middlesbrough, but possibly to work the Harrogate, that then releases bimode to work the Middlesbrough service.

At the moment, without the CAF units there is not enough bimodes to operate all current bimode necessary services as well as introduce Middlesbrough every 2 hours.

Whilst I agree they do seem to have limited bi modes LNER have only ever said the two things in the way of making it reality are a timetable rewrite to integrate it with the York terminators and Middlesbrough infrastructure upgrades (in a similar way to Bradford).

 

[800001]

Whilst I agree they do seem to have limited bi modes LNER have only ever said the two things in the way of making it reality are a timetable rewrite to integrate it with the York terminators and Middlesbrough infrastructure upgrades (in a similar way to Bradford).

Of which the York terminators are formed of all Electric Azumas and Mk4s, neither of which can reach Middlesbrough.
New trains are needed before Middlesbrough can happen.

 

[Riverside Redz]

Of which the York terminators are formed of all Electric Azumas and Mk4s, neither of which can reach Middlesbrough.
New trains are needed before Middlesbrough

Similarly , there is a bi mode diagram on the Newcastle to York shuttles every day and I know that the morning Hull service just goes off to Bounds Green until brought out for the 15:27 to Middlesbrough

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Similarly , there is a bi mode diagram on the Newcastle to York shuttles every day and I know that the morning Hull service just goes off to Bounds Green until brought out for the 15:27 to Middlesbrough

Also the morning Middlesbrough goes to do a couple of Lincoln runs but then the evening Skipton using another bi mode which is utilising the wires the whole way. Defintely some wiggle room here

 

[800001]

Similarly , there is a bi mode diagram on the Newcastle to York shuttles every day and I know that the morning Hull service just goes off to Bounds Green until brought out for the 15:27 to Middlesbrough

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Also the morning Middlesbrough goes to do a couple of Lincoln runs but then the evening Skipton using another bi mode which is utilising the wires the whole way. Defintely some wiggle room here

not enough wiggle room to operate the 2 or 3 diagrams needed to operate to Middlesbrough every 2 hours.

I’ll let other far more ‘in the know’ people say why it isn’t possible to cover the current bimode services and Middlesbrough 2 hourly with the current fleet.

Skipton bimode goes ecs to Doncaster ready for start of service following day.

I also, believe the plan is to operate with 9 car set or longer.