Work to restore the canopy at Whitley Bay Tyne and Wear Metro station is back on track after the appointment of a new contractor to complete the work. Work has been due to get underway in July but the original contractor appointed, Buckingham Group, went into administration throwing the project into doubt but Kier Group have now been appointed to complete the work.
The Buckingham Group went into administration after they had suffered losses on a number of contracts across the UK including the development of Anfield Stadium in Liverpool and Birmingham City’s St Andrew’s football ground. They had previously been involved in the Metro Flow project which dualled tracks in North Tyneside and were awarded the contract for the works at Whitley Bay earlier this year.
The £5.3 million project will restore the historic Grade II listed canopy at Whitley Bay Station which includes the replacement of glazing and refurbishment of the steel work.
Kier Group have recently acquired the rail division of Buckingham Group and will now complete the work on behalf of Nexus.
Sarah McManus, Head of Renewals at Nexus, said: “We’re delighted to say that our exciting restoration project at Whitley Bay Metro station is back underway. We’ve appointed a new construction contractor, Kier, who are a leading firm in the industry, and they have taken over all of the detailed work on the station’s historic canopy.
“Whitley Bay is a station with a great deal of charm. The station has proudly served Metro since the network opened. This project will ensure that the station is there for locals and visitors to enjoy for many decades to come.”
Whitley Bay Station will remain open throughout the works.