24.06.20
Newcastle Central Station set for renovation
Last year Newcastle City Council and partners announced plans to open-up access to the Victorian station, accommodate more passengers, improve traffic flows in front, change taxi pick-up points and short stay parking.
City residents, taxi drivers and Historic England were consulted.
Now the multi-million-pound investments that will change the station has taken a significant step forward.
Planners have now given the go-ahead for the works to begin after granting Listed Building Consent in this, the station’s, 170th year.
On January 20th, Cabinet approval was granted on a revised development framework that gives developers guidance on investing in the Forth Yards area south west of the statin.
That could lead to a new multi-storey car park, office space and up to 2,500 homes on the 22-hectare site.
Following the Listed Building Consent, Cabinet Member for Employment and Culture, Councillor 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.”
Images: Network Rail