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Central Station Redevelopment (and linked developments around Central Station) | Newcastle | Various | U/C

349K views 2K replies 140 participants last post by  Ken O'Heed 
#1 · (Edited)
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Newcastle Central Station receives £8.6m funding
BBC Newcastle, Tyne Website, Monday 28th November 2011


Newcastle Central Station will receive £8.6m of funding to improve and modernise facilities. The money from Network Rail will be spent on improved waiting rooms and toilets, better signage and alterations to the existing bridge.

Glazed canopies will also be installed as well as new lifts and escalators.

Phil Verster, from Network Rail, said: "These improvements will help passengers to get the best from the listed building." The station scheme is being developed in partnership with NE1 and Newcastle City Council and businesses in the City Centre will also be investing in the project.

The deputy chairman of NE1 Ltd, Gavin Black, said: "This is great news for Newcastle and the North East, with the improvements to the station helping to cement the city's role as the Regional Capital."


Read More - http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-15921952

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#2 ·
Hurrah. Finally! It's felt for ages like Central is the last 'real/proper' station that's felt absolutely nothing like a proper station in terms of its facilities, comforts, retail etc.

Great to think it's restoration will be aided by some decent, sensitive upgrades and the Network Rail press release mentions 'a range of retail opportunities'. Sainsburys has kick-started this, but most big stations have such a sense of destination - will nice to see this follow suit....and possibly some nice upgrades to the outside.
 
#5 ·
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A similar article to that on yesterdays BBC Tyne Website, in this mornings JOURNAL . . .

Central Station to benefit from £15m makeover
by Adrian Pearson, The Journal, November 29th 2011


MORE than £20m is expected to be announced for the North East today as the final two regional growth fund projects are unveiled.

Newcastle Central Station is to benefit from a £15m makeover, both inside and outside, as part of a successful regional growth fund bid. The project includes more than £8m from Network Rail.

Newcastle Business Improvement District NE1, Network Rail and Newcastle City Council will between them oversee more than £14.9m in investment into the station.

Network Rail plan to transform the station’s interior providing new shops, improved passenger waiting accommodation and toilets, better signage and alterations to the existing bridge, while adding lifts and escalators to make it easier to move around the heritage listed building. There will also be improved glazed canopies to flood the station with natural light.

NE1 and the City Council also plan to improve the area around the Central Station for pedestrians, drivers, cyclists and visitors to the city and help to further kick-start the ongoing economic regeneration of that area.

Gavin Black, deputy chairman of NE1, said: “This is an excellent example of partnership working between the private and public sector, with all sides working together to achieve the aims of the project, which will deliver major improvements to the City Centre."


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...om-15m-makeover-61634-29859571/#ixzz1f5PRA5LL
 
#7 ·
Newcastle Central Station

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A similar article to that on yesterdays BBC Tyne Website, in this mornings JOURNAL . . .

Central Station to benefit from £15m makeover
by Adrian Pearson, The Journal, November 29th 2011


MORE than £20m is expected to be announced for the North East today as the final two regional growth fund projects are unveiled.

Newcastle Central Station is to benefit from a £15m makeover, both inside and outside, as part of a successful regional growth fund bid. The project includes more than £8m from Network Rail.

Newcastle Business Improvement District NE1, Network Rail and Newcastle City Council will between them oversee more than £14.9m in investment into the station.

Network Rail plan to transform the station’s interior providing new shops, improved passenger waiting accommodation and toilets, better signage and alterations to the existing bridge, while adding lifts and escalators to make it easier to move around the heritage listed building. There will also be improved glazed canopies to flood the station with natural light.

NE1 and the City Council also plan to improve the area around the Central Station for pedestrians, drivers, cyclists and visitors to the city and help to further kick-start the ongoing economic regeneration of that area.

Gavin Black, deputy chairman of NE1, said: “This is an excellent example of partnership working between the private and public sector, with all sides working together to achieve the aims of the project, which will deliver major improvements to the City Centre."


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...om-15m-makeover-61634-29859571/#ixzz1f5PRA5LL
Glad to hear of refurb.
Outside the Station in the Portico the area is a mess.
Too many people /cars in a very small area.
Quart into a pint pot!

As someone involved in tourism something that may be overlooked is the facilities for visitors who use the shuttle buses to the North Shields Ferry terminal.
I have seen people huddled in the rain and snow whilst waiting for the (old) buses to arrive.
Not a very good way to treat valued visitors. :eek:hno:
If a shelter can be incorporated into the plans that would be very useful.
We need to treat our visitors well as they could well come back again.

In addition, the way that taxis line up to enter the station needs to be resolved.
At times taxis are swamping the area and this needs to be resolved.

This refurbishment could be the one that is the most looked forward development in 2012?
 
#9 ·
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A similar article to that on yesterdays BBC Tyne Website, in this mornings JOURNAL . . .

Central Station to benefit from £15m makeover
by Adrian Pearson, The Journal, November 29th 2011



NE1 and the City Council also plan to improve the area around the Central Station for pedestrians, drivers, cyclists and visitors to the city and help to further kick-start the ongoing economic regeneration of that area.

Gavin Black, deputy chairman of NE1, said: “This is an excellent example of partnership working between the private and public sector, with all sides working together to achieve the aims of the project, which will deliver major improvements to the City Centre."


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...om-15m-makeover-61634-29859571/#ixzz1f5PRA5LL
If there was to be any, sensible, strategic planning in the regeneration plans, then It would be used to allow for better access to the new "Stephenson Quarter".

The current entrance/exit to the station is very one sided, closing off the area behind it IMHO.
 
#10 ·
If there was to be any, sensible, strategic planning in the regeneration plans, then It would be used to allow for better access to the new "Stephenson Quarter".

The current entrance/exit to the station is very one sided, closing off the area behind it IMHO.
Yes, I remember posting the below a while back, when this was suggested previously . .

Evening Chronicle, Thursday September 27th 2007.

 
#11 ·
If there was to be any, sensible, strategic planning in the regeneration plans, then It would be used to allow for better access to the new "Stephenson Quarter".

The current entrance/exit to the station is very one sided, closing off the area behind it IMHO.
a south entrance would be a superb addition - hopefully the bulk of the money will be spent on this rather than frittered away on incremental refurbishments and upgrades.
 
#12 ·
Even if a South entrance is not included, increasing the access from the North side to the Stephenson quarter is a must. Current access is hidden via tunnels and arches.

I doubt these would be appealing for those wishing to travel to any proposed 5* hotel late in the evening. Even with the proposed increased police presence in the area.

A possible good example is the Forthside Bridge in Stirling.

This crosses above the railway lines/platformsto allow access to a redevelopment area which had been segregated off by the station.

Forthside Bridge Design

For info:
The Forthside Bridge was designed by Wilkinson Erye Architects/Gifford and Partners, builders of the Gateshead Millennium Bridge.
 
#13 ·
I agree that I quite like Newcastle Central Station as it is, but it does need effective access from the south.
I'd also be pleased if the mess of taxis on either side of the eastern approaches was better planned and better managed.
An east-bound cycle lane that actually connects with the station would also help.
Will the budget extend to correcting the time on the portico's clocks? They've been running slow for years now.
A possible good example is the Forthside Bridge in Stirling. . . .
Which must be one of the least used bridges at any station!

I will agree that another foot bridge (over the through lines on platforms 2 & 3) would be welcome - there's adequate additional capacity at the barriers.
I also agree that there is a wide expanse of under-used space at the west end, around the former parcels depot; this is used intensively by staff, but use could be improved greatly and a ferry-interchange with bus turning circle could easily be accommodated within the station perimiter.
 
#14 ·
Newcastle Historian; November 29th 2011 said:
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Central Station to benefit from £15m makeover
by Adrian Pearson, The Journal, November 29th 2011

MORE than £20m is expected to be announced for the North East today as the final two regional growth fund projects are unveiled.

Newcastle Central Station is to benefit from a £15m makeover, both inside and outside, as part of a successful regional growth fund bid. The project includes more than £8m from Network Rail.

Network Rail plan to transform the station’s interior providing new shops, improved passenger waiting accommodation and toilets, better signage and alterations to the existing bridge, while adding lifts and escalators to make it easier to move around the heritage listed building. There will also be improved glazed canopies to flood the station with natural light.

NE1 and the City Council also plan to improve the area around the Central Station for pedestrians, drivers, cyclists and visitors to the city and help to further kick-start the ongoing economic regeneration of that area.

Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...om-15m-makeover-61634-29859571/#ixzz1f5PRA5LL

Central Station facelift is confirmed
by Adrian Pearson, The Journal, December 6th 2011


CITY businesses are celebrating after ministers confirmed a £15m facelift for the Central Station. The regional growth fund payout of nearly £5m will be added to Network Rail’s £8.6m of station improvements and business and council contributions.

Bosses at the business improvement group NE1 say the money will go on making the city station area more impressive to visitors, with work including upgrading pavements, changing the road layout and better signage.

In the station it is thought the improvements will include relocation the ticket barriers, which divided the station and prevent customers not immediately boarding a train from reaching cashpoints and other shops.

Sean Bullick, chief executive at NE1, said the work was important for the city’s reputation. He said: “The basic idea is that this is the first glimpse of Newcastle and indeed the region that many people have when they arrive here and at the moment it is just not good enough.


Read More (Two Pages) - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...ven-green-light-61634-29900325/#ixzz1fk89Oytd
 
#15 ·
Central Station facelift is confirmed
by Adrian Pearson, The Journal, December 6th 2011


CITY businesses are celebrating after ministers confirmed a £15m facelift for the Central Station. The regional growth fund payout of nearly £5m will be added to Network Rail’s £8.6m of station improvements and business and council contributions.

Bosses at the business improvement group NE1 say the money will go on making the city station area more impressive to visitors, with work including upgrading pavements, changing the road layout and better signage.

In the station it is thought the improvements will include relocation the ticket barriers, which divided the station and prevent customers not immediately boarding a train from reaching cashpoints and other shops.

Sean Bullick, chief executive at NE1, said the work was important for the city’s reputation. He said: “The basic idea is that this is the first glimpse of Newcastle and indeed the region that many people have when they arrive here and at the moment it is just not good enough.


Read More (Two Pages) - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...ven-green-light-61634-29900325/#ixzz1fk89Oytd
Thank god for that, ridiculous they were put where they are in the first place.
 
#16 ·
I see nothing anywhere that mentions anything about the ticket barriers. Where did you see this? All the PR blurb mentions is providing modern retail and leisure facilities, improved passenger waiting rooms and toilets, better signage, alterations to the existing bridge and increased glazing on the roof.

3rd Para of Post 128 . . .

Newcastle Historian; December 6th 2011 said:
Central Station facelift is confirmed
by Adrian Pearson, The Journal, December 6th 2011


CITY businesses are celebrating after ministers confirmed a £15m facelift for the Central Station. The regional growth fund payout of nearly £5m will be added to Network Rail’s £8.6m of station improvements and business and council contributions.

Bosses at the business improvement group NE1 say the money will go on making the city station area more impressive to visitors, with work including upgrading pavements, changing the road layout and better signage.

In the station it is thought the improvements will include relocation the ticket barriers, which divided the station and prevent customers not immediately boarding a train from reaching cashpoints and other shops.

Sean Bullick, chief executive at NE1, said the work was important for the city’s reputation. He said: “The basic idea is that this is the first glimpse of Newcastle and indeed the region that many people have when they arrive here and at the moment it is just not good enough.


Read More (Two Pages) - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...ven-green-light-61634-29900325/#ixzz1fk89Oytd
 
#18 ·
The planning application for "minor internal and external alterations" to the Central Station has been submitted. Newcastle City Council have quite helpfully(?) put photographs of notices that have gone up around the station on the planning application website, but not the actual plans themselves.

http://publicaccess.newcastle.gov.u...s.do?activeTab=documents&keyVal=LXQM8OBS05200
Still no plans >( but this page now includes a response from English Heritage which indicates that the improvements are to include some lovely bollards. Must be a response to the current spate of incidents involving people driving onto railway stations.
 
#19 ·
£15m redevelopment of Central Station

Does anyone know what is happening to the redevelopment of Central station? It was announced last autumn and was supposed to start this summer but nothing has happened.
Are there more concrete plans for this? It states there will create a rail, taxi and coach hub as well as new retail and new canopy inside but as I say there is no signs of any work inside or out.
 
#20 ·
Does anyone know what is happening to the redevelopment of Central station? It was announced last autumn and was supposed to start this summer but nothing has happened.
You are correct that it has been delayed but is still scheduled within the current accounting period. The remedial works to the roof and drainage are pressing. At least the broken front door has now been fixed!

Meanwhile, Network Rail's investment in the repairs to the nearby Ouseburn Viaduct have been extended by very many months due to the discovery of much more corrosion than had been initially identified.My update from last week was that this project might be completed by the end of November.
 
#23 ·
Central Station 'in need of changes' say ministers
by Adrian Pearson, The Journal, September 24th 2012


THE NEXT firm to run the East Coast Rail Service must ensure improvements to Newcastle Central Station, ministers have been told. Transport groups and councils leaders have told the Department for Transport the station is in need a wide range of changes, including better passenger facilities, improved security, easier access to the Metro station and a new approach to bus and taxi services.

The department is set to formally kick-off the invitation to tender for the nationalised East Coast route early next year, with consultation responses flooding in ahead of this. Many have stressed the economic importance of the link to London, with the Tyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority the latest to insist upon a strong commitment to retaining the two trains an hour peak service level currently available, with further calls made for more services to Berwick, Alnmouth and Morpeth.

In a sign of behind-the-scenes tensions a call has been made to ensure Nexus, the executive arm of the transport authority, has a better relationship with whoever takes over the franchise. At present, the authority said, "relations with nationalised East Coast have not been good enough in terms of the every day operation of Central Station.” One apparent issue the transport authority is keen to raise is the disruption caused by the ticket barriers placed in the station.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...s-say-ministers-61634-31892864/#ixzz27N8vQgi4
 
#24 ·
Calls to get Newcastle Central Station £15m revamp started
by Kate Proctor, The Journal, September 29th 2012


PRESSURE is mounting on Newcastle City Council to start work on a promised £15m upgrade to Newcastle Central Station. Work was due to start this summer, but £4.9m from the Government’s regional growth fund secured for the project nine months ago has only just been made available. Now opposition councilors, who instigated the funding for the project in 2010, are calling for the work to begin.

Liberal democrat councilor Anita Lower said: “Whilst the council were waiting for the money to come, they could have been getting under way with the consultation process. “Nine months have gone by, why haven’t we had more debate about what’s planned and what’s going to happen there? By the time work is started, it will be another year the city misses out on the benefits of the project.”

Money for the £15m facelift for the Central Station was confirmed in December 2011 with Network Rail contributing the £8.6m to the scheme. Plans include changing the road layout and new shops and leisure facilities inside the Grade I- listed station building, which opened in 1850.


Read More - http://www.journallive.co.uk/north-...#sitelife-commentsWidget-bottom#ixzz27qYET4wh
 
#25 ·
Not sure if this has been picked up on Re Central Station & Surrounding Area:

http://www.letstalknewcastle.co.uk/consultations/index/58


Central gateway - New development around Newcastle’s Central Station

We are asking for your views on the exciting new development plans around Newcastle’s Central Station, the Central Gateway.

The Central Gateway is a multi-million pound project which will see major improvements to getting in and out of this busy part of our city and also open up and make safer pedestrian and cycle routes to and from the Grade 1 listed John Dobson designed station.

This part of over the overall project, worth over £15 million, is being jointly run by Newcastle City Council and business improvement district company, NE1 Ltd, with £4.95 million received from the Regional Growth Fund.

To help us develop this historic part of our city we are asking residents, community groups and local businesses for their views on our values to underpin what we want this area and the rest of the City Centre to be like, but we still want to know what you think to guide us in shaping the final designs.

Network Rail and East Coast have also been awarded £8.6 million to transform the interior of the station including the portico, moving the ticket office and increasing the retail opportunities. The two projects are working closely together to maximise benefits of these exciting schemes.

Work is expected to be completed by March 2014.
 
#26 ·
Really hopeful a south entrance to Central Station will be built in the near future.

That will transform the desirability of the Stephenson Quarter area as it suddenly becomes really accessible for national rail services, but also local bus and metro services too.

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