Media centre

Tuesday 14 Jan 2020

Upgrade at MetroCentre station will mean more seats for passengers

Region & Route:

Eastern

Network Rail is working with Northern to extend both of the platforms at MetroCentre station, to allow newer trains with more seats to call there.

Work started yesterday (Monday, 13 January) and is expected to be completed on Wednesday, 26 February. During this time, Network Rail engineers will work to lengthen the platforms ahead of new, longer and more modern Northern trains calling at the station. Follow up work will take place at the station in March.

The upgrade is part of a wider project to extend more than 100 platforms at over 70 stations across the North of England.

The platform extension work will not impact on train services and Network Rail is working closely with Northern to minimise any impact this work will have on station users, businesses and residents.

Paul Rutter, Route Director for Network Rail’s East Coast route said: “We know this is a busy route for shoppers, so this work is really important and will allow new trains with more seats to call at the station, vastly improving passenger experience.

“This work won’t impact on train services, but station users are likely to see work taking place between January and February. We are working hard to keep any impact at the station to a minimum and we would like to thank people for their patience whilst this work is carried out.”

Anna Weeks, Regional Director at Northern, said: “The work being carried out by Network Rail will allow us to run better, longer trains for our customers – giving them an improved journey experience.

“We are working with Network Rail to keep disruption to a minimum and I’d like to also give my thanks to our customers for their understanding while the work takes place.”

ENDS