Village linked to Manchester with new train route

A new hourly train service is to give a village its first direct rail link to Manchester.

The route from Eaglescliffe in Stockton, Teesside, is to launch on Sunday.

It will see the TransPennine Express service between Redcar and Manchester Airport stop at the station for the first time.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said the service was "another boost" to the region's transport network.

The launch comes amid work to install a pedestrian footbridge and improve accessibility to the west of the station and to Durham Lane Industrial Estate.

"Eaglescliffe can now add Manchester to its London link but it's vitally important we sort out access once and for all," the Tory peer said.

"Getting to the far side of the station has been far too difficult for many people - and we're making sure using it becomes quicker and easier for everyone."

The revamp of the station is costing £16.3m, with £8.8m coming from the Tees Valley Combined Authority and £7.5m from Network Rail.

As part of the work three lifts will be installed connecting the station's car parks and island platform to the existing footbridge, which is being retained.

The taxi office is also being rebuilt and there will be a new ticket counter on the platform.

A new car park and cycleways near the station are being built by Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council, with money coming from the government's City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement and the Levelling Up Fund.

Bob Cook, leader of the Labour-led council, said Eaglescliffe station was a "key transport link" for the region as it connects to a number of major stations.

"The improved transport links and accessibility is great for the area as it will play a key role in helping attract more businesses to Eaglescliffe," he said.

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