The Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) has reached another milestone as engineers complete five consecutive weekends of critical work between Leeds and York, that will support the electrification of the railway. Following overhead line equipment (OLE) mast installation earlier in the year, 7.5km of wiring has now been completed between Micklefield and Church Fenton, which will unlock faster, greener journeys in the future. Just to the east of this location, electric passenger services between York and Church Fenton are set to launch in the coming months, following last year’s successful switch-on between Manchester Victoria and Stalybridge. In Cross Gates, Station Road bridge was also safely demolished and replaced so that OLE can be installed throughout the area. Around 750m of track was renewed between Killingbeck and Cross Gates, which will support smoother, more reliable travel. A new track crossover was also installed to allow trains to change from one line to another, which will enable the programme to keep more people moving on trains during a future stage of TRU delivery. Adam Sellers, senior sponsor for TRU, said: “This latest series of upgrades has taken us a step closer to the electrification of the route between York and Manchester. Wiring is now in place in the Barkston Ash area, whilst Cross Gates station can now facilitate the installation of OLE masts. “Work to deliver cleaner, greener services throughout this area will continue throughout the year, whilst attention also turns to the introduction of electric passenger services nearby, which is another huge milestone for the programme.” The delivery of these upgrades was made possible through a full closure of the line between Leeds and York, with close coordination between train operators including TransPennine Express and Northern. To keep passengers moving, diversionary routes and rail replacement buses were in operation across all five weekends. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A series of major transport schemes are set to begin this month as Kirklees Council gets ready to transform some of the districts’ key travel routes links in Dewsbury and Huddersfield. Kirklees Council secured over £60 million from the Transforming Cities Fund, which will be used to deliver an ambitious programme of transport improvements to make it easier to walk, cycle and use public transport, connecting communities to more jobs, training and education opportunities. From Monday 14 July, work is expected to start on the A638 Dewsbury to Cleckheaton Sustainable Travel Corridor. This vital route will link residents in Dewsbury, Heckmondwike and Cleckheaton to employment, education and healthcare, while strengthening links between Kirklees and Bradford. The scheme will prioritise pedestrian safety with new controlled crossings and provide better public transport provision with a new bus lane on Bradford Road, improving reliability and making public transport a more convenient and attractive alternative to driving. In addition, improvements are already underway on the Spen Valley Greenway enhancing accessibility, surface quality, lighting, signage and safety along the route. Later in July, the first phase of the Huddersfield Rail Station Connections scheme will get underway on Northumberland Street in Huddersfield Town Centre. Currently dominated by traffic and busy junctions, Northumberland Street is set for a major transformation and aims to bring the streets to life with high-quality paving, wider footways and improved cycle infrastructure, creating a more welcoming and accessible environment for all. After completion, Northumberland Street will benefit from improved traffic flow whilst prioritising pedestrians and inclusive access. With further upgrades planed for Trinity Street and St. John’s Road, the Huddersfield Rail Station Connections scheme will improve links between the towns rail and bus stations, supporting more sustainable and efficient journeys. Councillor Moses Crook, Deputy Leader of the council and Cabinet Member for Housing and Transport said: “It’s great to see spades in the ground on these really important transport schemes. “We understand that there will be some short term disruption, but once completed, these schemes are set to have lasting positive impacts, opening up better access to more education, employment and training opportunities across Kirklees and beyond. “The works in Dewsbury and Huddersfield will be carried out with minimum disruption and I’d like to encourage people to continue to visit our town centres and support our fantastic independent businesses.” To complete the projects efficiently and safety, traffic management will be in place at both sites. Details are available online at https://www.kirklees.gov.uk/transport-schemes. These schemes form part of the council’s wider vision to create healthy, vibrant town centres where people can live, work and relax. They complement major investments including Dewsbury and Huddersfield bus stations, Network Rail’s multi-billion-pound Transpennine Route Upgrade as well as the ambitious Our Cultural Heart project, Grade II listed George Hotel and the towns historic open markets, demonstrating the council’s commitment to revitalising towns and villages across Kirklees. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Four-Year Framework To Create Better Connected Sustainable City Region CBRE has been appointed to a four-year framework designed to support the delivery of Greater Manchester’s ambitious transport vision, underpinning the region’s drive towards a better-connected, greener, and more sustainable city-region. The Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) Professional Services Framework is a comprehensive procurement vehicle designed to provide a wide range of transport-related consultancy services to TfGM and participating authorities across Greater Manchester.  Spanning sixteen specialist lots, the framework will play a pivotal role in delivering the Greater Manchester Transport Strategy 2040, which sets out a vision for “world-class connections that support long-term sustainable economic growth and access to opportunity for all.” CBRE is appointed on Lot 15 which covers Estates Advisory Services, supporting TfGM’s extensive programme of transport infrastructure projects. This includes the management and development of property assets, land assembly, and strategic advice to enable the delivery of new and improved transport facilities across the region. The appointment builds upon a long-standing relationship with TfGM, with CBRE playing a pivotal role in enabling Greater Manchester’s transport transformation, most notably through acquiring multiple bus depots to facilitate the Greater Manchester Bus Reform. As the UK’s largest regional economy outside London, Greater Manchester is at the forefront of transport innovation, with major initiatives such as the Bee Network – an integrated, London-style transport system under local control -set to transform how people travel.  TfGM is also leading the way in bringing bus services under local control, expanding the Metrolink tram system, and investing in the UK’s largest cycling and walking network. A key aspect of CBRE’s ongoing partnership with TfGM is its work in leveraging the organisation’s surplus land portfolio. Through innovative estates advisory and strategic asset management, we are helping to unlock the potential of these sites to deliver thousands of truly affordable, net zero new homes. This not only supports Greater Manchester’s housing ambitions but also aligns with the region’s commitment to sustainability and inclusive growth. Adam White, Executive Director at CBRE and Lead for the TfGM appointment, commented: “We are proud to be selected by Transport for Greater Manchester to provide Estates Advisory Services as part of this transformative framework. Greater Manchester is leading the way in delivering integrated, sustainable transport, and we look forward to working in partnership with TfGM and local authorities to unlock the full potential of their property assets. Our team brings deep experience in land assembly, development, and public sector collaboration, and we are committed to supporting the region’s vision for a cleaner, greener, and more connected future.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Platforms which have long stood derelict could be brought back into use as early deliverables, thanks to Midlands Rail Hub.  Under the plans, backed by Chancellor Rachel Reeves in her recent spending review, a series of engineering interventions will be made throughout the Midlands to transform rail transport. At Kings Norton, the currently derelict island platform would be re-instated and a new passenger bridge linking back to the existing ticket hall, will be built as one of the first phases of the project. Richard Parker, Mayor of the West Midlands, met with Midlands Connect, Network Rail, Northfield MP, Laurence Turner, and Selly Oak MP, Al Carns, to discuss plans for the station upgrade and service improvements. Mayor of the West Midlands, Richard Parker, said: “More trains and better connections across the West Midlands and beyond will drive more jobs, more homes, and greener growth. That’s the future prosperity our region demands.” Under the plans, the Cross City line will see two extra trains, in each direction, per hour, which will create 5.4 million new seats each year. Redditch, Alvechurch and Barnt Green will see one extra train, in each direction, per hour and 2.7 million new seats for passengers, whilst Bromsgrove will see 4.7 million new seats. Midlands Rail Hub would also deliver a jobs boost as over the course of the project, more than 12,750 roles are expected to result from the programme. Midlands Connect Chief Executive, Maria Machancoses, said: “Midlands Rail Hub will allow train travel to be a first choice for many more people, and Kings Norton is at the heart of the project. “This station upgrade will allow more frequent trains, restoring the Cross City services and delivering a more reliable network for passengers.   “Government’s recent funding announcement is major step forward in our plans for Kings Norton, and the wider region. It is a commitment to transform rail travel for everyone.” Northfield MP, Laurence Turner, said: “An upgrade to Kings Norton station is at the heart of the Midlands Rail Hub project. We need these works to return to Cross-City trains an hour at Longbridge and Northfield as well as Kings Norton. “I’ve raised this project repeatedly in Parliament and I’m delighted that the Government are backing the campaign. “This investment will bring jobs and higher wages into the area and lead to less congested roads – this is really good news for south Birmingham’s economy.”Selly Oak MP, Al Carns, said: “I’m delighted that the Chancellor has backed investment in the Midlands Rail Hub in the recent Spending Review. This is fantastic news for South Birmingham. “These plans are a brilliant opportunity to boost connectivity on one of our key local railway lines. The proposed new timetable will undoubtedly improve public transport in the communities served by the Cross City line. “Better transport links means more opportunities to level up the economic and social life of our local communities. I am thrilled to see this investment in upgrading Kings Norton station and in our local commuter routes, and I know current and future users will benefit hugely from a better rail service on the line.” Denise Wetton, director for Network Rail’s Central route, said: “Midlands Rail Hub means better journeys for passengers today, and a future-proofed railway for tomorrow. “It will open the railway to new communities, and boost access to opportunities across the West Midlands. The government’s commitment is a huge boost and we are now working to confirm what work can be done and when.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects has been appointed by Guildford Borough Council to deliver highways works to Weyside Urban Village, a new community that will comprise 1,550 new and affordable homes, along with green and play spaces, an employment space, commercial centre and sustainable transport hub. The first set of highways works began in early May 2025, with the remaining nine phases being delivered over an 18-month period, covering a variety of highways improvements. These include the reconfiguration of a roundabout, road widening schemes, residential parking bays, signalisation works, and the creation of a new toucan crossing. Dedicated bus lanes are also being introduced to improve service reliability and performance, encouraging the use of public transport, while a new network of cycle and footway facilities is being developed to encourage active travel. The scheme also features upgrades to the on and off ramps connecting the A3 to the A320, improving overall connectivity and reducing congestion across the area. The first set of highways works Winvic is undertaking is the construction of a new toucan crossing on Woking Road, replacing the existing uncontrolled crossing between Old Woking Road and Fir Tree Road. With works due to complete in August 2025, the upgraded crossing will help improve safety, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to cross at the same time. Winvic has been on site at Weyside since February 2024, delivering the on-site infrastructure works for the future residential development. Works included the preparation of plateaus for housing construction, and by the project’s completion in November 2025, approximately 34,000m³ of earthworks remediation will have been carried out to achieve the necessary ground levels. Diversionary drainage works began in October 2024, followed by the installation of around 4,500 metres of new foul, storm, and private drainage systems, including attenuation crates, and managing urban drainage using Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). Winvic is also constructing 670 metres of internal roads and 1,300 metres of footpaths, complete with tactile crossing points. Throughout the works, Winvic will be actively engaging with the local community to deliver meaningful social value as part of its commitment to creating positive project legacies. This will include local employment, work experience and training opportunities, supporting STEM education by working with local schools and colleges through the Surrey Careers Hub, and volunteering initiatives. Rob Cook, Managing Director for Civils & Infrastructure at Winvic, commented: “We are proud to be working with Guildford Borough Council on the Weyside Urban Village project, which represents a significant investment in Guildford’s future that delivers vital infrastructure to unlock much-needed housing and promotes sustainable development and public transport solutions. Our involvement in both the on-site infrastructure and off-site highways works demonstrates Winvic’s capability to deliver complex, multi-phase, civil engineering projects with sustainability and social impact at the heart, that create long-lasting benefits for residents and the wider community.” Cllr Tom Hunt, Lead Councillor for Regeneration, said: “As we move forward with our plans to deliver the vital infrastructure needed to support the Weyside Urban Village regeneration, we’re pleased to have appointed Winvic Construction. Our strategic regeneration project will create new homes, jobs and green spaces, delivering on our commitment to make Guildford a greener, fairer, thriving place to live work and do business.” Keep up to date with the works at Weyside Urban Village here: Transport | Weyside Urban Village For more information on Winvic, the company’s latest project news and job vacancies please visit www.winvic.co.uk. Join Winvic on social media – visit X (Formerly Twitter) @WinvicLtd – and LinkedIn Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Winvic Construction Ltd, a leading main contractor that specialises in the design and delivery of private and public sector construction and civil engineering projects has been appointed by Guildford Borough Council to deliver highways works to Weyside Urban Village, a new community that will comprise 1,550 new and affordable homes, along with green and play spaces, an employment space, commercial centre and sustainable transport hub. The first set of highways works began in early May 2025, with the remaining nine phases being delivered over an 18-month period, covering a variety of highways improvements. These include the reconfiguration of a roundabout, road widening schemes, residential parking bays, signalisation works, and the creation of a new toucan crossing. Dedicated bus lanes are also being introduced to improve service reliability and performance, encouraging the use of public transport, while a new network of cycle and footway facilities is being developed to encourage active travel. The scheme also features upgrades to the on and off ramps connecting the A3 to the A320, improving overall connectivity and reducing congestion across the area. The first set of highways works Winvic is undertaking is the construction of a new toucan crossing on Woking Road, replacing the existing uncontrolled crossing between Old Woking Road and Fir Tree Road. With works due to complete in August 2025, the upgraded crossing will help improve safety, allowing pedestrians and cyclists to cross at the same time. Winvic has been on site at Weyside since February 2024, delivering the on-site infrastructure works for the future residential development. Works included the preparation of plateaus for housing construction, and by the project’s completion in November 2025, approximately 34,000m³ of earthworks remediation will have been carried out to achieve the necessary ground levels. Diversionary drainage works began in October 2024, followed by the installation of around 4,500 metres of new foul, storm, and private drainage systems, including attenuation crates, and managing urban drainage using Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS). Winvic is also constructing 670 metres of internal roads and 1,300 metres of footpaths, complete with tactile crossing points. Throughout the works, Winvic will be actively engaging with the local community to deliver meaningful social value as part of its commitment to creating positive project legacies. This will include local employment, work experience and training opportunities, supporting STEM education by working with local schools and colleges through the Surrey Careers Hub, and volunteering initiatives. Rob Cook, Managing Director for Civils & Infrastructure at Winvic, commented: “We are proud to be working with Guildford Borough Council on the Weyside Urban Village project, which represents a significant investment in Guildford’s future that delivers vital infrastructure to unlock much-needed housing and promotes sustainable development and public transport solutions. Our involvement in both the on-site infrastructure and off-site highways works demonstrates Winvic’s capability to deliver complex, multi-phase, civil engineering projects with sustainability and social impact at the heart, that create long-lasting benefits for residents and the wider community.” Cllr Tom Hunt, Lead Councillor for Regeneration, said: “As we move forward with our plans to deliver the vital infrastructure needed to support the Weyside Urban Village regeneration, we’re pleased to have appointed Winvic Construction. Our strategic regeneration project will create new homes, jobs and green spaces, delivering on our commitment to make Guildford a greener, fairer, thriving place to live work and do business.” Keep up to date with the works at Weyside Urban Village here: Transport | Weyside Urban Village For more information on Winvic, the company’s latest project news and job vacancies please visit www.winvic.co.uk. Join Winvic on social media – visit X (Formerly Twitter) @WinvicLtd – and LinkedIn Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

World-leading research programme delivers breakthrough results in non-destructive testing, promising fewer road closures and enhanced safety A world-leading research programme that could transform traditional approaches to the maintenance of England’s motorways and major A-roads has announced significant technological advances today. The results demonstrate how state-of-the-art technologies could now be deployed on the network’s ageing infrastructure to reveal a more accurate analysis of asset condition – reducing unplanned road closures and enhancing safety. The Structures’ Moonshot Project, initiated by National Highways and led by AtkinsRéalis and Jacobs, has concluded the initial phases of its investigation into non-destructive testing (NDT) technologies and revealed its findings to more than 200 international industry delegates. The project focused on analysing England’s highway structures with hidden critical components which are difficult and expensive to inspect, such as post-tensioned bridges. NDT technologies use a range of techniques to build a picture of the condition of a structure, highlighting any defects hidden beneath concrete surfaces. They aim to complement and improve on traditional inspections and help to mitigate the need to undertake physical investigations, which can require road or lane closures. The project’s innovative approach has led to key industry breakthroughs, including the development of digital twins which integrate various NDT technologies to provide a more holistic and accurate assessment of structural conditions. Additionally, this programme is addressing a fundamental industry problem: whilst awareness of NDT technologies is high, there is a lack of awareness of the wide spectrum of technologies available and understanding in terms how of how they could be deployed to optimise inspection results. The research team has produced practical summaries and guidance on NDT methods, recognising that tailored solutions are required. The Structures’ Moonshot research team has conducted more than 60 in-depth tests since August 2023, covering both established and experimental technologies. This  included testing 20 types of advanced NDT technologies and gathering input from more than  20 specialist companies, globally. Trials were conducted on purpose-built, full-scale mock-ups of bridge sections as well as parts of decommissioned bridges such as the A14 Huntingdon Viaduct. One of the largest NDT technology effectiveness studies globally, details will be revealed at a conference in Birmingham today, with findings shared among the wider structural engineering community. Colin George, deputy head of structures at National Highways said: “The Structures’ Moonshot is about driving innovation through investment in new technologies. These technologies are set to provide us with game-changing solutions in terms of how we maintain the structures on our road network. “The challenges of maintaining an ageing bridge stock are very real. It is vital that we ensure that first and foremost our structures are safe to use. The technologies we’re looking at have the potential to achieve that goal, but also to ensure we’re spending our funding effectively. As a result, we would expect to see a reduction in planned and unplanned closures on our very busy network. “Technology is rapidly influencing the transport sector and it’s crucial we continue to invest in finding new ways of maintain the network. National Highways needs to keep innovating to improve experiences on the road, while getting people where they need to be, safely and reliably.” One of the advanced technologies tested was muon tomography by Estonian company GScan. This creates a detailed 3D model of the internal fabric of a structure, enabling expert evaluation of the condition of the buried steel components and concrete substrate without the need for costly and disruptive investigations. Chis Mundell, technical director at AtkinsRéalis said: “With more than half of England’s bridges set to exceed 50 years of age by 2030, we urgently need accurate and efficient methods to assess their condition. Structures’ Moonshot has been a unique opportunity to comprehensively test and validate the performance of various technologies – some will revolutionise bridge assessments equivalent to x-rays for doctors and patient diagnosis. “The testing has reinforced the view that there is no ‘silver bullet’ for structural investigations, but NDT technology integration is transforming how we maintain these complex structures. Having completed the first phases largely in controlled environments, we’re now looking forward to deploying these technologies on operational structures.” There are more than 20,000 structures on roads managed by National Highways, ranging from small culverts and gantries to large bridges. Many of those structures need repairs costing millions of pounds each time an intervention is required. Richard Sanderson, senior vice president Transportation at Jacobs said: “Maintaining high standards and public safety across our road network requires continuous innovation. “The ability to assess the condition of structures remotely, or with less physical intrusion, is a significant step forward and is a natural evolution to existing methods of investigation, which typically involve in-situ inspection and testing with temporary road closures. These emerging technologies offer the potential to support more efficient, targeted interventions, contributing to a more sustainable, safe and responsive road network. Jacobs is excited to be involved with these groundbreaking trials, which we anticipate will ultimately equip bridge engineers with an ever-wider toolkit for management of bridge assets.” The project now enters phase three, which will see wider use of the new technologies and approaches on operational National Highways assets and is expected to complete in mid-2026. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

Yesterday, Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Rachel Reeves MP, delivered the outcome of Phase 2 of the government’s Spending Review.  The government announced in Autumn 2024, that the forthcoming Spending Review in 2025 will set government departmental resource budgets for three years and capital budgets for five years, with reviews every two years. CIHT will be providing a more detailed analysis in the coming days.  Sue Percy CBE, Chief Executive, CIHT said: “CIHT welcomes the commitment to transport spend outlined today by the Chancellor. The Spending Review, shows that the government understands the vital role that highways, transport and infrastructure plays in the UK economy.” “The announcement of funding to support the key areas of transport decarbonisation, public transport, climate resilience and highway maintenance echo many of CIHT’s recent submissions to government. The reference to an increase in funding for apprenticeships and training to reach an extra £1.2 billion per annum by 2029 is a welcome emphasis on the need to support the future skills of the sector.”  “CIHT will be working closely with the government to support these initiatives and more in the run-up to the forthcoming 10-year infrastructure strategy.” The following includes some of the highlights CIHT welcomes from the Spending Review that CIHT called for, including: – £750 million per year to maintain and improve bus services, including introducing franchising pilots in areas including York and North Yorkshire and Cheshire West and Cheshire West and Chester Read CIHT on improving buses  – £2.6 billion capital investment to decarbonise transport from 2026-27 to 2029-30. This includes: – Investing £616 million to build and maintain walking and cycling infrastructure. (1) Read CIHT on making the case for active travel – £1.4 billion for the continued uptake of electric vehicles Read CIHT on electric vehicles – £400 million to support the rollout of charging infrastructure, building on the almost 80,000 public charging devices already available;  – Extending the £3 bus fare cap – due to end this year – by over a year until March 2027 Read CIHT Spending Review submission  – £4.2 billion over three years, from 2026-27 to 2028- 29 for climate resilience  – Providing £24 billion of capital funding between 2026‑27 and 2029‑30 to maintain and improve motorways and local roads across the country.  Read CIHT Unlocking the Benefits of Long-Term Funding for Local Roads – The impending publication of the government’s ‘10-Year Infrastructure Strategy’ later in June.  Further announcements that CIHT welcome include:   – Investing £2.3 billion in the Local Transport Grant over Phase 2 for local transport improvements including bus lanes, cycleways and congestion improvement measures in places outside of those areas receiving TCR settlements.    – £15.6 billion investment in total by 2031‑32 through the new Transport for City Regions (TCR) settlements to give metro mayors of some of England’s largest city regions long‑term transport settlements.  – Up to £27.8 billion capital to be invested through the National Wealth Fund (NWF), which will drive growth and create jobs across the UK in areas, including transport sectors.   – A multi-year settlement for London (TfL) of £2.2 billion of funding between 2026-27 and 2029-30 for Transport for London’s capital renewals programme.  – £1.2bn a year for training and upskilling, with a focus on creating more apprenticeship opportunities.   – Devolved governments will receive an additional £5.7 billion per year on average through the operation of the Barnett formula. This translates as £52bn for Scotland, £23bn for Wales, and £21bn for Northern Ireland.  The full government Spending Review Document is available to read here.  CIHT looks forward to continuing to work with HM Treasury, the Department for Transport, and other government departments to ensure that the UK’s transport network is fit for all our futures.  Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

One of the UK’s largest and most technically challenging road projects has officially opened, completing the £2bn Heads of the Valleys Road upgrade programme helping to deliver better transport and fix our roads. The final phase of the Welsh Government funded upgrade programme , which was designed to deliver prosperity to some of the most deprived areas in Wales, has already created 2,200 new jobs across the country with almost a half of those employed living in the local area and coming from a disadvantaged or long-term unemployed background. The £1.4bn Section 5&6 – Dowlais to Hirwaun final phase is helping to connect communities by linking the Valleys, South and West Wales to the English Midlands and beyond together with ports serving Irish and other European destinations. As well as improving the resilience of the South Wales trunk road network, the road provides a vital link across the top of the South Wales valleys for the Metro project improving links to the Cardiff and Swansea Bay City Regions. This has been achieved by delivering:  As well as boosting the region’s economy with approximately £400m being invested in the local supply chain, the project has helped to inspire the next generation through educational engagement sessions, and delivered a series of environmental benefits. These include: Speaking at the official opening, Cabinet Secretary for Transport and North Wales, Ken Skates said: “Delivering better transport and fixing our roads is a priority for this government, which is why I am delighted to be marking the completion of what has been a hugely ambitious road upgrade programme. “It’s been a complex project, which has not been without its challenges, but is a fantastic example of how targeted investment in road infrastructure can deliver benefits on so many levels, from providing local jobs to improving accessibility, supporting education and skills, as well as delivering environmental benefits. “Of course, a project of this magnitude is inevitably going to have an impact on local residents, and I would like to thank those that were affected for their patience. I am confident that once people realise the benefits of this investment, memories of any disruption they have experienced will start to fade.” Finance Secretary, Mark Drakeford added: “Investing in this major capital project has created real benefits for local people. It has resulted in £400m for the local supply chain and has created 2,200 new jobs.“Beyond improving transport, this project has built a legacy in the area, by training over 200 apprentices and providing STEM activities for local schools. This shows how our investments are improving more than just infrastructure; they are supporting our communities.” Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals

A major £140 million transformation of Darlington Station has marked a significant milestone with the completion of a bridge concourse linking the historic Bank Top station to its new eastern entrance off Neasham Road. The final section of the pedestrian bridge was installed late last week, forming a vital connection between the existing grade II-listed station and the newly developed eastern gateway. The 50-tonne enclosed, step-free bridge was previously lifted into place using a 750-tonne crane specially built for the task. Network Rail is now leading the next phase of the ambitious project, which includes two new platforms, platforms 5 and 6, to boost capacity on both the East Coast Main Line and the Tees Valley Line. These upgrades aim to ease freight movements and improve services across the region. The entire scheme remains on track for completion later this year. The eastern entrance hall structure was handed over to Network Rail last year. Once finished, it will house retail units and a 650-space car park, helping to create a modern gateway into the town. Public realm improvements are also underway, with hoardings erected around buildings on Victoria Road to allow for better pedestrian links to Darlington town centre. A new Neasham Road entrance and short-stay drop-off zone are also taking shape. Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: “It’s great to see the final piece of the concourse fitting into place. We handed over the gateway building on time and on budget – and it’s pleasing to see Network Rail are making good progress to get this whole vital project over the line and ready for the people of Darlington this year. “It’s a huge year for our railway heritage – and this project will not only provide the modern station Darlington deserves, but it will also open up huge opportunities for connectivity, trade and freight to and from Teesside and Hartlepool further down the line.” Funded with £98 million from the Department for Transport, the project includes enhancements to track, points, and signalling, alongside the new footbridge, platforms, and concourse building. The station overhaul is part of a broader strategy to future-proof regional rail services and support growth across the North East. Building, Design & Construction Magazine | The Choice of Industry Professionals