The Northumberland Line project is exploring the opportunities created as a result of the potential demolition of the south building at Bedlington Station, which is the subject of a planning application currently awaiting determination by Northumberland County Council. The main driver for these opportunities is the space that would be freed up by the demolition of the building.
We have already received some feedback from local stakeholders on their wishes for the steps and the planters in front of the station to be removed, and this has been incorporated into the alternative design we have developed, which could be progressed if the south building planning application is approved. We are also exploring options for refurbishing the northern building and the potential for bringing it into community use.
To inform discussions with local representatives and stakeholder groups, we have produced two visualisations. One shows the current station design that has planning approval (with the south building retained) and the other is a draft design for what the station entrance could look like with the south building removed. Both show how the north building could look if brought back into use.
Please note that the decision on which design to progress will be dependent on the outcome of the planning process for the demolition of the south building. With the south building in situ, many of the features in the alternative design cannot be progressed.
Design 1: Current design for Bedlington Station, as per current planning approval
This design has the following features:-
1. Existing north building retained, with aspirations to bring into community use.
2. Existing south building.
3. Accessible ramp to allow access between both platforms.
4. Railway signalling equipment.
5. Existing seating area to be retained.
6. Area accessible to maintenance staff only.
7. New platform.
8. Vehicular access to platform for emergencies and maintenance.
9. Existing planters to be retained.
10.Bus stop with shelter. 1 Please note that this means some of the design features unrelated to the south building are more developed in the second visual
Design 2: Potential alternative design for Bedlington Station, should southern building and northern building lean-to be demolished
This design has the following features:-
1. Vehicle access for emergencies and maintenance, which could also allow access for “pop up” businesses at the south end of the site.
2. Collapsible bollards on the vehicle access.
3. Accessible station route at the southern end of the site which provides a link to new walking & cycling infrastructure as well as access to the Northbound platform.
4. Seating area on the south east corner.
5. Potential location for public art installation/totem.
6. Cycle shelter (which will be covered by CCTV).
7. Potential location for public art installation.
8. Bus stop with shelter.
9. Potential for secondary access route with easier access to bus stops (which would require the “lean to” at the north building to be demolished, which would require planning consent).
10.Railway signalling equipment (design to be finalised).
Design 3: Potential alternative design for Bedlington Station, should southern building be demolished
This design has the following features:-
1. Vehicle access for emergencies and maintenance, which could also allow access for “pop up” businesses at the south end of the site.
2. Collapsible bollards on the vehicle access.
3. Accessible station route at the southern end of the site which provides a link to new walking & cycling infrastructure as well as access to the Northbound platform.
4. Seating area on the south east corner.
5. Potential location for public art installation/totem.
6. Cycle shelter (which will be covered by CCTV).
7. Potential location for public art installation.
8. Bus stop with shelter.
9. Railway signalling equipment (design to be finalised).
We'd welcome your feedback on the designs and please email us your views at rail@northumberland.gov.uk or contact our call centre team on 0345 600 6400 and we need your views before 5pm on Monday 26th June 2023.