Sunderland Council leader Paul Watson will today press the button to launch a unique new light artwork marking the completion of the £7m modernisation of Sunderland station’s platforms.
Arup’s Newcastle office supervised the work and provided project management, coordinated and led the design work for the station (civil, structural and electrical engineering, as well as communications), working with sub-consultant architects at Sadler Brown and cost consultants at Gardiner & Theobald.
The £7m refurbishment, paid for by Nexus with the support of station owner Network Rail and station manager Northern, has transformed the city centre gateway used by 2m people every year.
The refurbishment includes:
- New escalators.
- Platform refurbishment – lighting, glass block walls, wall, floor and column finishes, customer information systems and wayfinding, and works from artists Jason Bruges Studio and North East photographer Julian Germain.
- Transformation of the station atmosphere and improved passenger experience.
Cllr Watson said: “Sunderland is an international city deserving of a world class gateway such as this. The city centre station is one of the busiest in the country and we want to provide the thousands of passengers who use it every day with the best facilities and travelling experience we can.”
Bernard Garner, Director General of Nexus, said: “Sunderland represents the most money Nexus has ever spent on modernising a station, and we are very pleased with the way the new-look platform areas are taking shape. Feedback from passengers has been very positive, and we look forward to letting people see and experience the vastly-improved spaces we have created.”
Cllr David Wood, Chairman of the Tyne and Wear Integrated Transport Authority, said: “This investment underlines the commitment of the ITA and Nexus to provide Sunderland with the best quality public transport, eight years after the Sunderland Metro line was opened.”
Martin Butterworth, a Director in Arup’s Newcastle office commented: “This project has completely transformed the platforms at Sunderland Station and they are now a fitting gateway to the city. We have successfully drawn together a large number of our multidisciplinary resources and are delighted with the outcome.”
Sunderland Council leader Paul Watson will today press the button to launch a unique new light artwork marking the completion of the £7m modernisation of Sunderland station’s platforms.
Arup’s Newcastle office employs around 150 staff, with expertise in infrastructure, geotechnics, civil structures and building engineering – working on local, national and international projects.
Previous projects include the Sunderland Metro extension, the New Tyne Crossing, the famous sculpture 'the Angel of the North' by Antony Gormley, the redevelopment of Grey Street, Edinburgh and Newcastle Airport Control Towers, and the Newcastle Quayside.