Construction and engineering company BAM has been appointed by Network Rail to build the new southern entrance of Sunderland’s railway station
Plans for the station’s revamp were approved by Sunderland City Council in July.
The overall TCF package for Sunderland Station improvements and associated works is £16.3m.
BAM has been awarded the contract through the Network Rail Framework, and preparatory works are due to begin in early 2022, with demolition of the existing southern entrance clearing the way for the construction of a new statement building, which will overlook Market Square.
The new entrance will feature a large glass wrap-around design, and will include a new ticket office and reception, public toilets, retail space, and cafes, as well as a new mezzanine level that will have office space reserved for railway industry staff.
It is the first part of a six-year programme, that will see the northern entrance of the station reimagined and platform-level works undertaken to increase the capacity of the station, with four tracks and four platforms to separate Nexus and Metro from mainline services.
‘Encouraging greater use of the railway in the North East’
Rob Storrie, project director for BAM Nuttall said: “We know that this project has been a long-time in the making for Sunderland’s rail passengers and we’re delighted to get the green light to proceed.
“Our priority throughout will be to deliver this project safely and with minimum of disruption to passengers.
“Working with Network Rail and train operators, we will be putting temporary ticketing and access measures in place within the next few weeks before dismantling of the old station begins. We hope that the new station will be a welcome change for all passengers.
“The building features a glazed façade that will help create a bright welcoming concourse. It will provide a much more fitting gateway to Sunderland and we hope that it will encourage even greater use of the railway in the North East.”
‘Sustainable, high-quality facilities’
Tony Fitzgerald, construction director for BAM Construct UK’s North East team, also commented: “We have significant buildings under construction across Teesside, Tyneside and further afield.
“You cannot fail to see the significance of the new station to Sunderland’s appeal to visitors and commuters alike. We’ll work closely and effectively with our colleagues in BAM Nuttall, as we have down the coast at Redcar Cinema, to create sustainable, high-quality facilities that add value back to the community.”
‘High-value job opportunities’
Councillor Graeme Miller, leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “We’re delighted to be working with BAM Nuttall to develop a station that will improve the overall travel experience to and from Sunderland and making it a station we can all be proud of.
“Their commitment to community wealth building and social value, means that the impact of this development will go way beyond the improvements to city infrastructure. It will bring about considerable benefits to the city supply chain, and for our people who will access high-value job opportunities as a result.”
“Sunderland deserves a station that reflects our ambition as a city, and alongside the incredible transformation and positive developments ongoing at Riverside Sunderland and beyond, we’re establishing this as a world-class place to live, work and play.”
