From the Egglescliffe News Bulletin received today :

Eaglescliffe Station

Stockton Council has the Metro funding and, in parallel, is looking at plans to expand the car park.

With regard to Metro, the Council has recently received confirmation from the Department for Transport (DfT) regarding the release of RFA funds to pay for GRIP4 work (detailed assessment work that will identify what works are needed at each station) and Tees Valley stations upgrade project, both of which are part of Tees Valley Metro Phase 1. The Council has also signed a Development Services Agreement (DSA) with Network Rail which is necessary to allow the GRIP4 work to start. Once funding is received (by the end of January 2010) work at Eaglescliffe is anticipated to progress as follows:

a)  A specific station project scheme, led by Network Rail, supported by the Council’s engineers, Tees Valley Joint Strategy Unit and Northern Rail will be developed immediately to deliver the following elements:
-  Reopening of the old station building on the platform side of the bridge (first floor ticket office, ground floor staff room and customer toilet).
-  Provision of improved waiting areas for passengers on the platform.
-  Provision of improved passenger information including real time screens.

It is hoped the above can be achieved relatively quickly.  Alex Nelson, who runs Chester-le-Street station, is extremely keen to staff and operate the new facility, to the extent that, at his own cost, he has already commissioned architects to draw up detailed plans and has contractors ready to go on the construction side.

b)  Metro GRIP 4 study - at Eaglescliffe, this will then concentrate on the DDA access aspects of the scheme which will mean
alterations/reconstruction of the existing ramps and any associated works to the bridge.  As Network Rail will be managing both schemes care will be taken to ensure that works contained in b) will be a natural continuation from works in a).  The GRIP 4 study will take until mid 2010 to complete so this element of the scheme is unlikely to be completed much before the end of 2010 at the earliest.

With regard to the car park, the Council’s Acting Head of Technical Services is in early discussions with Network Rail about possible improvements, including an extension, to the current car park. Any improvements agreed will be planned around the works described above. It is likely that funding for this will have to be from both Train Operators, SBC and possibly Metro, as the car park extension is a separate exercise.