92T Span Of New Footbridge Installed For £14.5M Eaglescliffe Station Upgrade

The revamped Eaglescliffe station in County Durham has seen the 92t span of its new footbridge lifted into place in a three-hour operation.

The installation, carried out by a team of 15 staff from contractor Bam, marks a key milestone in an ongoing £14.5M project to overhaul the station on the Tees Valley Line.

The newly installed steel structure, measuring 56m in length, is designed to enhance accessibility for passengers. It will include three lifts that will connect both the existing car park and a newly constructed car park to the station’s island platform.

Funding for the project has been sourced from multiple channels: £9.2M from the Tees Valley Combined Authority (TVCA), £3.25M from Network Rail and £2M from the Department for Transport. This financial backing is aimed at addressing long-standing access issues at Eaglescliffe and aims to revitalise the station experience for users.

During the renovation, the existing footbridge will be kept in place to ensure continuous access to the station, providing an essential emergency exit as construction progresses.

In addition, Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council is spearheading the development of a new car park to the west of the station. This initiative also includes improvements to cycle and pedestrian access, further enhancing connectivity for those travelling to and from Eaglescliffe.

This project receives additional support from the government’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, allocations from the Levelling Up Fund for Stockton South, and the Indigenous Growth Fund secured by the local authority.

The station improvements represent a broader commitment to modernise transport infrastructure and improve accessibility across the region.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “This lift marks a big milestone on getting this project completed and ready. Eaglescliffe offers a crucial link to major stations south of us and its access has been below par for far too long.

“It’s great to see steel going in the ground and the project now taking shape – and it’s also pleasing to have our friends at Stockton Council getting on with their side of the job and getting the new car park sorted.

“Ultimately, this project and the work going on around the station will make things better and simpler for people working at fantastic firms on Durham Lane Industrial Estate – and for everyone who wants to use Eaglescliffe for travel.

“We’ve pumped the money in to get this done to ensure people across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool have the railway they deserve.”

Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council leader and TVCA cabinet member Bob Cook said: “Eaglescliffe Station is an important transport link for the borough and the wider Tees Valley because of its connection with major stations up and down the country.

“The new car park is located on part of the Durham Lane site purchased by the Council, and new cycleways will complement the wider improvements being made.

“Working together, this will provide improvements which should be another draw to businesses looking to invest in Durham Lane Industrial Estate – and serve some of the vital international businesses we have on the site.”

Network Rail North and East route principal programme sponsor Anna Weeks said: “This achievement marks an important milestone in improving accessibility at Eaglescliffe station. The bridge installation demonstrates our commitment to working collaboratively with partners to deliver better passenger facilities.

“We’re proud to invest significantly in this vital project that will transform the travel experience, creating a more inclusive railway network for everyone in the Tees Valley region.”

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