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DARLINGTON 2025 - A MODERN RAIL HUB FOR A MODERN ECONOMY FOREWORD Councillor Bill Dixon

The is where the Our vision will unlock improved modern passenger railway was speeds, increased capacity and born, when on 27 September 1825 more reliable national and local George Stephenson’s locomotion rail services, remove restrictions, number one left for and offer scope for significant Stockton carrying passengers. commercial development and investment. In 2025 we will celebrate the 200th anniversary of this globally These improvements will enable significant event, and showcase to significant economic growth across visitors from across the world the Tees Valley as well as greatly Councillor Bill Dixon, Leader of Darlington same ambition and ingenuity that improving rail connections across Borough Council and Chair of the Tees Valley has positioned Darlington and the the area. Transport Committee Tees Valley at the heart of industrial Britain ever since.

We hold the same convictions as our forebears – that fast efficient passenger and freight rail services are key to economic growth. We’ve worked with key stakeholders including Network Rail and VTEC to develop a vision for the regeneration of the east coast mainline at Darlington.

As Darlington is known far and wide We will work to ensure that: DARLINGTON’S as the birthplace of the passenger • By 2018 The Darlington railway – it is now time to secure its RAIL STORY project will create knock-on place in the future of rail transport improvements across Tees for future generations. Valley, with fast regular services Darlington station was built in 1887 connecting , and the town continued to grow and Stockton, , Hartlepool thrive around it. and North . When the Victorians built stations, • By 2025 Darlington Station rail they saw them as statements of improvements have unlocked civic pride and a place where people the capacity constraints at and trade come together – that’s Darlington South Junction, still true today. allowing economic growth throughout the Tees Valley. The Darlington Station Growth Hub In 1825 project will keep Darlington at the • By 2025 journey time to “Network Rail and Transport for the North are encouraged to George Stephenson’s forefront of modern travel with the Manchester will have been cut ‘Locomotion No1’ left benefits rippling out across the by 45 minutes to 70 minutes. recognise the importance of the Darlington Station as the key wider Tees Valley, the North East, Darlington to travel to • In 2033 High Speed Rail has North Yorkshire and UK. rail gateway for the Tees Valley – at the heart of a commercial Stockton, marking the knocked 52 minutes off the regeneration scheme – and to investigate the need for the station birth of the modern This will be in addition to what has journey from Darlington to redevelopment to be included in the programmes for 2019-24 to passenger railway. already been delivered at Feethams Birmingham and 28 minutes leisure complex, the CPI national from the journey to London. maximise the growth potential of transformational rail packages Biologics Centre, Business Central For the first time in history such as HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail.” and Central Park Science and Darlington is less than two Entreprise Park. hours from London. The Rt Hon the Lord Heseltine CH

2 | DARLINGTON STATION GROWTH HUB DARLINGTON STATION GROWTH HUB | 3 At the heart of the town Former Cattle Market Central to innovation Improved pedestrian and New residential and and skills cycle routes putting the commercial development One of the 12 Tees Valley station back at the heart opportunities, a new portico, Enterprise Zone sites, of the Town Centre, with arrival area and public realm Central Park Science and improved parking, drop-off enhancements. Enterprise Park is next to pedestrian and cycle routes the station – maximising and clear links to the new Feethams Leisure Complex. connectivity. There is already a track record of Station attracting new business With additional station and innovation, for example platforms, a new bridge the CPI-National Biologics West is key into Darlington station, new Manufacturing Centre, There are options to improve public transport interchange, Business Central. the portico with links to a improved parking provision, University and Darlington new bridge enabling access improved shopping and College are also already to all platforms. leisure in the station, new located there. footbridge to Central Park, opportunities for commercial The improvements would and residential development. mean more investment, opportunities for further growth and better links to other education centres in Darlington Station has a the Tees Valley and beyond. major role to play in the already located there. economic growth of the North as a ‘touch point’ for the planned HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail network.

By tackling the current The project also includes plans for DARLINGTON - infrastructure constraints of the new commercial, residential and A GATEWAY TO East Coast Main Line, Darlington retail developments that will make will be open to prospects coming the most of the advantages created A WORLD OF out of the new northern franchise by fast, direct trains to London, and pacer replacements, such as Edinburgh, Leeds and Newcastle OPPORTUNITY better opportunities for freight – creating a modern rail hub for a moving east and west from modern economy. As well as ambitious plans for a . The wider Tees Valley economy is £150 million investment to revitalise The Station Growth Hub underpins made up of 16,500 businesses who Darlington Station – creating the transport ambition for the together contribute £12.5 billion a welcoming and comfortable Tees Valley. When combined to the national economy. Key environment for 21st Century with a major upgrade to the growth sectors include advanced travellers – the project will see to Middlesbrough manufacturing, process, chemicals improvements across the town. rail line and Middlesbrough station and energy, logistics, health and The station design honours the improvements, it will release the biologics, digital and creative and heritage of the building, its history opportunity to provide better local business and professional services, and stature while modernising rail services in the Tees Valley investment in Darlington Station facilities, opening it up as the and better connect them into the and the rail infrastructure will gateway to the Tees Valley. National Rail Network. generate further opportunities and All elements of the project - and the three entrances at Parkgate, Victoria Road and Road - are linked growth in these sectors. together by improved public realm making the station interchange a pleasant and welcoming environment.

4 | DARLINGTON STATION GROWTH HUB DARLINGTON STATION GROWTH HUB | 5 “HS2 can be transformational for the economy of the Tees Valley and put Darlington at the heart of a dynamic new economic corridor”

David Robinson, Chair of PD Ports

Unlocking constraints at Better local train services will support the 25,000 extra Delivery by 2025 – the 200th anniversary of Darlington as the birthplace of Darlington is a priority to jobs and £2.8 billion boost to the economy created by passenger railways - will showcase the town and the wider Tees Valley to visitors realise the ambitions for the national rail network. the Tees valley Strategic Economic Plan 2025 from across the world. It will show the same ambition and ingenuity that has placed the North East at the heart of industrial Britain ever since.

6 | DARLINGTON STATION GROWTH HUB DARLINGTON STATION GROWTH HUB | 7 WHAT WILL BE DELIVERED

The opportunities unlocking the potential for better transport will Up to create are huge for Tees Valley, the North East and the UK economy. 1,500 £1BN new homes The statistics shown here highlight lifetime value just some of the reasons the project is needed.

3,000+ direct and indirect jobs

98,500SQ M £130M commercial space annual GVA boost

HIGH SPEED TO THE FUTURE

It is an exciting time for Rail with Darlington Station is the Gateway “Regions are using new franchises, new rolling stock Station to the Tees Valley and has and new ambition to transform rail a wider catchment from the North their local knowledge in the UK through HS2 and Northern East and North Yorkshire making it Powerhouse Rail. a regionally important Station. to identify local

With rail demand forecast to grow Action is needed if we are to strengths and work vastly our partners recognise the overcome these issues and out how the improved need to resolve the impending improvements at Darlington are constraints at Darlington Station. a national priority if we to take connectivity HS2 advantage of the exciting times will deliver can take All local services currently have ahead. to cross the East Coast Mainline those strengths to a to serve the station. This causes Our plan for a ‘Darlington Station conflict between local services and Growth Hub: A Modern Rail Hub for different level.” national services - reducing the a Modern Economy ‘ – sets out a capacity on the East Coast Mainline. vision that aligns all partners in a David Higgins, Chairman, plan to resolve these infrastructure HS2 Limited That means it’s not possible to problems – and a wider ambitious increase services or to have an plan for regeneration of local Tees efficient interchange between local Valley rail services. and regional services. This is a significant barrier to an efficient rail system in the Tees Valley. BUILD IT ONCE | BUILD IT NOW | READY FOR HS2 AND NORTHERN POWERHOUSE RAIL

8 | DARLINGTON STATION GROWTH HUB DARLINGTON STATION GROWTH HUB | 9 HS2 SERVICES TO EDINBURGH

DARLINGTON - BIRMINGHAM: DARLINGTON - LONDON:

HS2 / NORTH ROUTE POWERHOUSE UPGRADE RAIL READY NEWCASTLE STATION 0:52 0:28 HEWORTH

1:29 1:52 RE-OPEN LEAMSIDE HS2 journey time Journey time saving HS2 journey time Journey time saving TO INCREASE LEAMSIDE CAPACITY / SEPARATE BRANCH TRAFFIC HS2 / NORTH POWERHOUSE DURHAM RAIL READY NORTHERN POWERHOUSE RAIL JOURNEY TIME WHY WE NEED STATION

TO ACT NOW HARTLEPOOL DARLINGTON - MANCHESTER: UPGRADE DARLINGTON - LEEDS: FOR LOCAL / FREIGHT 140 MPH A sharp increase in demand for rail FAST LINES services is expected by 2020 and STILLINGTON in 20 years demand is expected to BRANCH double. BISHOP TEESPORT 0:20 0.45 AUCKLAND Our current rail infrastructure won’t cope and improvements have to be STOCKTON-ON-TEES 0.40 0.70 made in time for HS2. We say do it MIDDLESBROUGH once and do it now. HS2 / NORTH Journey time Journey time saving Journey time Journey time saving POWERHOUSE DARLINGTON THORNABY The improvements will mean RAIL READY better access to national routes as STATION DARLINGTON - MANCHESTER AIRPORT: well as better connections within the Tees Valley - including new

stops along routes. 140 MPH FAST LINES UPGRADE FOR LOCAL PASSENGER / FREIGHT 0.70 - 125 MPH

0.80 NORTHALLERTON Journey time Journey time saving

HS2 CONNECTION

Changing Britain: HS2 says: HS2 / NORTH POWERHOUSE RAIL READY “With faster journeys and opportunities for extra capacity, HS2 will better link STATION the advanced manufacturing, bio-pharmaceuticals and energy industries of the Tees Valley with clusters and innovation hubs in the East and . BRADFORD LEEDS HULL “By connecting the Tees Valley swiftly to Birmingham and Heathrow airports, HS2 offers the potential for domestic growth as well as international expansion.”

10 | DARLINGTON STATION GROWTH HUB DARLINGTON STATION GROWTH HUB | 11 CONTACT [email protected] www.darlington2025.co.uk