Media centre

Wednesday 12 May 2010

HARTLEPOOL STATION IN SHIP-SHAPE FOR TALL SHIP EVENT

Region & Route:

Thousands of people visiting Hartlepool for the Tall Ships event this summer will get a great first impression of the town when arriving by rail after Network Rail completed the refurbishment of the canopies and redundant platform as part of £1.2m investment in the station.

During the last five months the old canopies have been removed and replaced with new steel frames, completely transforming the look of the station. The redundant platform has also successfully been resurfaced, with artwork due to be erected this summer.

The work is being developed in conjunction with plans by Hartlepool Borough Council and Northern Rail to transform the station into a transport interchange in time for The Tall Ships Races in August 2010 when Hartlepool is expected to attract up to 1million visitors.

Richard Lungmuss, route director for Network Rail said: “The station was in need of improvement and we have made a great start. The completion of the canopy work in particular has dramatically improved the look and feel of the station for passengers.

“We will continue to work with our partners to deliver a better station for the people of Hartlepool and its visitors in time for Tall Ships event this summer.”

Hartlepool Council has already opened the station’s new car park and is progressing with work at the front and to the west of the station, constructing the bus pick up / drop off areas as part of the interchange project. Further work to improve facilities for passengers will be carried out by Northern Rail and Network Rail through the National Stations Improvement Programme (NSIP) and includes new CCTV, customer information screens and public address system. 

Councillor Peter Jackson, Hartlepool Borough Council’s cabinet member for transport and neighbourhoods, said: “First impressions always count, so improvements such as those made to the town’s railway station are very important. We want visits to the Tall Ships Races in August to be positive, enjoyable experiences that will make people want to come back.”

Matthew Beeton, Area Director, Northern Rail said: “The new look canopies and improvements to redundant platforms have helped to create a more welcoming environment at the station.  And with work already underway to install new customer information systems and CCTV it really is all change at Hartlepool!”