Work on new train station slowed by coronavirus - but launch should still happen this summer

A delay is not the best start for a train station – but leaders in charge of the £10.55 million rail stop are ensuring work continues under the safest of measures following the coronavirus outbreak.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

Construction on the station at Horden has been continuing since the crisis hit, but with efforts being made to protect contractors while on site, bosses say it will no longer be ready to launch this month, as first planned.

A new date is yet to be confirmed, but the team involved in leading the project aim to have the hub up and running to take passengers to and from the new East Durham stop later in the summer.

Read More
Read more: Transport Secretary Grant Shapps inspects work on Horden's new £10.55...
Work on Horden's train station is continuing, but its completion date has been delayed due to the pandemic.Work on Horden's train station is continuing, but its completion date has been delayed due to the pandemic.
Work on Horden's train station is continuing, but its completion date has been delayed due to the pandemic.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Ray Brewis, Durham County Council’s strategy and project development manager, said: “It’s obviously disappointing for everyone that the new station at Horden will not be able to open in May as planned.

Work has continued on the station throughout lockdown, with contractors observing strict health and safety guidance, and it’s the observance of these safe working practices that has changed the build programme and delayed completion.

“Along with our partners, we are looking at ways to safely bring additional staff back onto site so that work on the station, car park and access can further progress, with a view to the station opening later in the summer.”

Once up and running, the station is expected to handle 71,000 a year.

Paths have already been laid down on the site.Paths have already been laid down on the site.
Paths have already been laid down on the site.
Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Work at the site, on South East View, started on May 23 last year with the roads, footpaths and cycle links being improved, with a bridge in place to link the two platforms and a car park.

Passengers are likely to be able to travel to and from Seaham, and Hexham, with a chance to connect to the Metro network in Sunderland, Heworth, Newcastle and Hexham, while Hartlepool, Seaton Carew, Billingham, Stockton, Thornaby, Middlesbrough, James Cook, Marton, Gypsy Lane and Nunthorpe will be accessed in the opposite direction, with an hourly service each way anticapted.

Confirmation of stops is subject to further detailed talks with the train operator, Arriva North, and these discussions will include also other destinations.

Conversations are ongoing regarding the possibility of trains going to London making stops at Horden.

A section of the new train station site on South East View.A section of the new train station site on South East View.
A section of the new train station site on South East View.

A message from the Editor:

Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you.

In order for us to continue to provide high quality and trusted local news on this free-to-read site, I am asking you to also please purchase a copy of our newspaper.

Our journalists are highly trained and our content is independently regulated by IPSO to some of the most rigorous standards in the world. But being your eyes and ears comes at a price. So we need your support more than ever to buy our newspapers during this crisis.

The bridge to connect the two platforms is already in place.The bridge to connect the two platforms is already in place.
The bridge to connect the two platforms is already in place.

With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our local valued advertisers - and consequently the advertising that we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you helping us to provide you with news and information by buying a copy of our newspaper.

Thank you

How to subscribe to the print editionIt’s easy to subscribe to your local newspaper. We have arranged a special 20 per cent off subscription offer for people to take advantage of.

Visit www.localsubsplus.co.uk, choose the newspaper title, the type of subscription and enter your details.