Tynemouth Station restoration is now one step closer

Jan 19 2010 by Tony Henderson, The Journal

THE long-awaited restoration of a historic station came a step nearer yesterday as English Heritage donated another £500,000 towards the project.

The urgent grant for Tynemouth Station brings to a total of £1m the amount awarded by English Heritage to save this Grade II-star listed building which has been on its Heritage at Risk register since 1998.

The grant is a vital contribution towards the funding needed to match the offer, announced recently by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, of £2m from its Sea Change programme.

The English Heritage grant is for the repair of the station’s ornately decorated ironwork canopies on the east platform.

Following the announcement of the Sea Change grant in November, English Heritage has been working closely with North Tyneside Council and the owners, Station Developments Limited, to investigate options for securing the necessary match-funding.

Carol Pyrah, English Heritage’s director of planning and development for the North East, said: “Tynemouth Station is one of the highest priority buildings at risk in the region and the large grant we have offered is testament to the significance of the building and the urgency of repairs needed to the extensive iron canopies. After many years of uncertainty there is now a real opportunity to secure the future of the station which currently features in the highest priority category on English Heritage’s Heritage at Risk register because of the very poor state of its rusted canopies.

“It is crucial that repairs are undertaken without delay to stave off further decay and potential collapse and we are hopeful that, with our latest award, the remaining match-funding can be found.”

Morris Muter, chief executive of Station Developments Limited, said: “English Heritage has consistently supported this initiative to restore and conserve Tynemouth Station. They have played an instrumental role as members of the project development team, offering guidance and advice appertaining to emerging plans for the restoration and conservation of the listed building.

“This latest grant offer is most welcome.”

Trevor Robertson, North Tyneside Council’s head of investment and regeneration, said: “North Tyneside Council is delighted that English Heritage have agreed to assist with funding and we look forward to working with English Heritage and our other partners, to secure the remaining funding required to enable contractual negotiations to be concluded and a start on site made as soon as possible.”