A 92-tonne steel bridge has been successfully lifted into place at Eaglescliffe railway station, marking a major milestone in ongoing improvement works.

The installation, which took place over the weekend of March 22-23, was carried out by 15 staff from contractor BAM in a three-hour operation.

The new 56-metre-long bridge will feature three lifts, connecting the station’s existing car park and a newly created car park to Eaglescliffe's island platform, significantly improving accessibility for passengers.

The £14.5 million project is being funded by a £9.2 million contribution from the Combined Authority, alongside £3.25 million from Network Rail and £2 million from the Department for Transport. The upgrades aim to resolve long-standing access issues and modernise the station for the benefit of commuters.

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Anna Weeks, principal programme sponsor for Network Rail's North and East route, highlighted the significance of the milestone: "This achievement marks an important milestone in improving accessibility at Eaglescliffe station. The bridge installation demonstrates our commitment to working collaboratively with partners to deliver better passenger facilities.

"We're proud to invest significantly in this vital project that will transform the travel experience, creating a more inclusive railway network for everyone in the Tees Valley region."

A new car park, led by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, is also being developed to the west of the station. The project will also enhance cycle and pedestrian access, funded through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, the Levelling Up Fund for Stockton South, and the Indigenous Growth Fund secured by the local authority.