Platforms reopen at revamped Sunderland railway station

Revamped platforms at Sunderland railway station are to be reopened to the public.

The north end of the station is being reopened from Monday and will be used by Metro trains and Grand Central services to and from London.

Platforms at the south end of the station will stay closed for a further two weeks to allow new flooring to be put down.

The station is undergoing a £7m refurbishment.

The redevelopment work, paid for by Tyne and Wear Metro operator Nexus and station owner Network Rail, is due to be completed in the summer.

Bernard Garner, director general of Nexus, said: "Sunderland represents the most money we have ever spent on modernising a station, and we are very pleased with the way the new-look platform areas are taking shape.

"Feedback from passengers has been very positive, and we look forward to letting people see and experience the vastly-improved spaces we have created."

Sunderland station is used by around two million passengers a year.

The refurbished platforms feature new lighting, ceilings, floors and wall panelling.

Passenger information displays have been transformed and three separate artists have been commissioned to work with architects and designers.

The first phase of modernisation, completed earlier this year, saw one of the station' s lifts replaced and an escalator installed between platforms and the concourse.

Since 2002 Sunderland has been the only station in the UK where light rail and network trains call at the same platforms.