Planning approval has today (8 March) been granted allowing phase two of the £34million redevelopment of Middlesbrough Station to get under way.

Works to renovate and revitalise the disused and dilapidated undercroft at the station will commence within weeks, with the installation of a new steel frame creating a modern new entrance and ticket hall building.

Phase one of the works, funded by £22.5m from the Tees Valley Mayor and Combined Authority were completed in December last year with the 75metre extension of a platform to accommodate the new LNER Azuma direct service to London. The town’s first service in more than 30 years.

This second part of the scheme will see the current ticket hall stairs removed, two new staircases built off the central thoroughfare, open public space at the east end of the former car park plus a new pedestrian walkway created between Zetland Road at the south of the station and the existing subway.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “I pledged that 2022 was our year of construction and I’m delighted to learn today of the approval to kick-start works on phase two of our major project at Middlesbrough Station.

“We’ve already completed the platform extension enabling the town’s first direct trains to the capital in more than 30-years and now we can go further by building a modern, fit for purpose station that local people can be proud of.

“Our investment of £22.5million to upgrade the station will finally give people from across our region the fast, reliable and smooth transport network they deserve. Further enabling them to access the job, training and business opportunities we’re creating across Teesside, Darlington and Hartlepool.”