A two year project to restore the Grade II listed canopy at Whitley Bay Tyne and Wear Metro station has been completed. Funded through the Metro Asset Renewal Programme, an event took place on 20th March to officially celebrate the completion of the major project at a station which sees 1.2 million journeys a year.
During the project 1,296 new panes of glass were installed whilst the steelwork was strengthened and repainted. New lighting has also been installed along with a new public address system and new CCTV cameras. Glazing directly above the tracks has been reinstated which now provides a more sheltered environment for passengers waiting for their trains.
Cathy Massarella, Managing Director at Nexus, said: “I’m delighted to say that our major restoration scheme at Whitley Bay Metro station is now complete.
“The focus of these works has been on the canopy, which has been carefully restored to its former glory. The building is Grade II listed, built in 1910, and is an important gateway into North Tyneside from the Tyne and Wear Metro.
“We’ve restored and repaired all of the steel work. New and modern glazing has been installed and the canopy now has glazing above the tracks as it was originally constructed.
“Whitley Bay is a station with a great deal of charm. It has proudly served Metro since the network opened in 1980. This project has ensured that the station will be there for people to enjoy for many decades to come.
“We’ve been able to keep the station open throughout the works, but it has meant some disruption. I’m grateful to our customers and our tenants at the station for their patience while the work has been taking place.”
The new glazing in the canopy is more robust and easier to maintain its ongoing condition and appearance. Ironwork on two smaller canopies which run along the station’s frontage has also been restored to its former glory along with the atrium.
Kim McGuinness, North East Mayor, added: “Whitley Bay station is more than just a place you catch the Metro – it is a gateway to the town and the beach that sits at the heart of a vibrant local community so I am delighted to see it restored to its former glory.
“Metro passengers tell me they want bright, attractive and safe places to wait. The canopy at Whitley Bay station looks better than it has done for decades and that lifts and brightens the whole station. This is a new step on the way to making Metro once again a world class transport system.”
The work was completed on behalf of Nexus by Kier Group. The station remained open throughout the work.
Whitley Bay station was listed in 1986. Further works are planned on restoring the footbridge at the station, which will be closed to passengers until those works are finished.