Middlesbrough Railway Station is at the heart of my constituency and a vital link to the rest of the country. Improving rail connectivity has been something I have campaigned for since being elected back in 2012 as I have long since been convinced of the huge economic benefits that will come to Middlesbrough and the wider region from having better rail links. A direct service to London is vital as we are the largest conurbation in the UK without a direct service to the capital.

December of this year is the planned start of direct trains from Middlesbrough to London. Work is now underway at the Station to extend Platform 2 in order to make it long enough to accommodate the longest trains such as the Azuma trains used by LNER for the planned London to Middlesbrough service. This phase of work is due to be completed in May and this will allow driver and staff training to start ahead of the service going live later in the year.

Next year will see the construction of a third platform at Middlesbrough Station to allow for greater capacity, additional services and boost reliability. Network rail are currently at the detailed design stage of these works with construction due to start next year and be completed by December 2022.

I will continue to engage with the Department for Transport, Network Rail, the Train Operators and all other stakeholders to ensure we have a truly fit for purpose rail station here in Middlesbrough.