Extension to car park at station set to open

The scheme, which has been designed and is being constructed by Northumberland County Council, is expected to be finished in time, but it is weather-dependent and some of the bays may be fenced off and not quite complete.

The development, which started in January, has created 37 extra spaces on the northbound platform side, taking the provision from 65 to 102 bays.

The project is aimed at alleviating congestion at the station and in the surrounding streets, with the issue long being a source of complaints from residents.

Network Rail owns the land and the council has negotiated a 99-year lease so that it can operate the car park and the new spaces have been positioned so that the Aln Valley Railway will be able to access the northbound platform.