Sunderland 'deserves train station to be proud of' says city leader and plans press on for revamp

Sunderland has been promised a train station to be proud of as plans to transform the tired interchange look set to progress within weeks.
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Councillor Graeme Miller leader of Sunderland City Council, vowed to “deliver a train station that the city and its residents deserve” as it works on the plans for the southern entrance.

He confirmed to the council last week more than £26 million had been secured stating the proposals “will push Sunderland station higher on the agenda of key stakeholders and deliver a station we can all be proud of”.

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Further designs are to be released within weeks, with Coun Miller confident in the transformation plans

Councillor Graeme Miller at Sunderland Train Station's southern entrance, which is set for a transformation.Councillor Graeme Miller at Sunderland Train Station's southern entrance, which is set for a transformation.
Councillor Graeme Miller at Sunderland Train Station's southern entrance, which is set for a transformation.
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He said: “We have a one-station vision for Sunderland – a plan to transform the northern and southern entrances, and to get the support we need to deliver a four platform, four track station that will match the ambition we have in Sunderland and provide a fitting arrival point to a city centre that will be reinvigorated, with investment now pouring in.

“We will do whatever it takes to deliver the station this city deserves, and residents can expect to see this process of transformation kick off within weeks.

"In the longer term, this will include a more significant scheme of work to the northern entrance, delivering an impressive arrival point in the Central Business District of Riverside Sunderland.

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"This new northern entrance will sit in a new public square and will be framed by the beautiful Elephant Tearooms and Mackie’s Corner that are springing back to life.”

The first phase will also see the development of a multi-storey car park at Holmeside.

Platform improvements will follow from the council, with reconfiguration of that section and rail tracks requiring investment from Network Rail.

There are hopes the work will fit with aspirations to reconnect it with defunct routes, including the Leamside line.

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Coun Miller added: “There have been false dawns, but when work commences on the first phase of work on the station, we will all see that this is not another.

"This is a turning point for our station, and we will make it happen for the people of this city.”

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