Tynemouth Station work gets a cast iron guarantee

Nov 16 2009 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

RESTORATION plans for a listed Victorian station were boosted today by a £2m cash arrival.

The money will be spent on resurrecting the ornate cast iron canopies at Tynemouth Station – regardless of whether approval is given to a wider scheme for the historic site.

The grant, which will also be used to enhance the station’s exhibition areas, has come from the Government-funded Sea Change programme, which is aimed at revitalising seaside communities.

Next month North Tyneside councillors will decide on a planning application by Station Developments.

The scheme proposes the restoration of the canopies, use for arts, cultural and market programmes, the provision of a library, heritage centre, photographic society, food store, caretaker’s office, public toilets, car parking, public meeting rooms and toilets.

The grade II-star listed station was built in 1882.

A spokesperson for North Tyneside Council said: “We welcome the offer of £2m funding from Sea Change to ensure the canopies of Tynemouth Station can be restored, and the exhibition areas enhanced.

“We will now work closely with Sea Change, Station Developments and English Heritage to take forward the implementation of a scheme to carry out the necessary work.”

Morris Muter, managing director of Station Developments Ltd, said: “We are absolutely delighted with the £2m which has been offered towards the Tynemouth Station project. We will work with the funders and our partners, particularly North Tyneside Council and English Heritage, to determine how the project should move forward and how we can ensure we get best value out of the funding which has been offered.

“We could not have got this far without the tremendous support shown by our partners, and our particular thanks go not only to the council and English Heritage, but to the Friends of the Station who have worked tirelessly alongside us for many years to achieve our mutual goal of completing the restoration of this magnificent structure to its former glory.”