Crane Removal at Northumberland Park

The preparation work for the crane removal is progressing well and this will reopen the Algernon Drive bridge to pedestrians. We are also making good progress on working towards completing the construction of the station. Upcoming works remaining include the following:

• Completion of station site works, including concrete works, laying asphalt to the platform, earth works and installation of platform fencing;

• Removal of temporary works from resident’s gardens and re-instatement of gardens on Fenwick Close (please note tree planting, garden reinstatement subject to weather conditions);

• Crane removal from Algernon Drive Bridge;

• Installation of acoustic fence and filling of planters, including trees (please note a small temporary crane will be required for this work on Fenwick Close);

• Final repair works on the A186 and reinstate of access under A186 bridge (please note that this work will require future lane closures on the A186); and

• Demobilisation of the site.

Advance notice of crane removal

We are currently planning to move the crane from Algernon Drive to the A189 between 8pm Wednesday 29 October 2025 and 6am Thursday 30 October 2025.

During this time, traffic management in the form of a temporary road closure will be in place on Algernon Drive, and the A186 northbound between the Costa/ Toby Carvery roundabout and the Pavillion roundabout and southbound between Station Road and Costa/ Toby Carvery roundabout.

Access to Algernon Drive from the A186 will remain open as the crane is moved from Algernon Drive Bridge up towards the entrance to the estate. Once the crane gets beyond Meadows Vale, there will be no access to / from Algernon Drive onto the A186 via the Pavilion roundabout, however the existing road closure on Algernon Drive bridge will be lifted to allow residents access in and out from the Sainsbury’s side. Traffic marshals will be on site to support residents with access.

During the daytime on Thursday 30 October 2025 there will be a lane closure on the A186 to hold the crane before dismantling.

The same full road closure will in place on the A186 from 8pm Thursday 30 October to 6am Friday 31 October 2025. A signed diversion route will be in place throughout these works and traffic marshals will be on site to support residents with access.

Disruption to parking during crane removal

To ensure there is enough road space along Algernon Drive to allow the crane to travel safely from off the bridge, cars will be asked not to park on Algernon Drive from 7pm on Wednesday 29 October 2025 until 6am on Thursday 30 October 2025. Prior to the works starting, traffic cones and signage will be placed on Algernon Drive.

To help manage disruption to residents who park in the area, we have arranged for temporary parking to be made available for those affected, in the Nexus multi-storey car park opposite the existing Northumberland Park station, free of charge.

During this period, the car park will be open until 00:29am when it will close overnight until 05:19am the next morning. In order to access free parking in this car park, please email your vehicle registration to rail@northumberland.gov.uk.

Please note that until this date, footway closures will remain in place whilst the crane continues to be in operation.

Please follow the current pedestrian diversion route and approach the traffic marshals in the first instance who can advise if the footpath can be used.

What to expect during the crane removal works?

The crane removal will result in some temporary localised disruption. As always, we will try a minimise the disruption as much as is practical. Our teams will also need access to the welfare facilities which will require a generator to be used. We are aware that our works can impact our neighbours, however every effort will be taken to limit this where practically possible.