In a £5.3m restoration project, the historic canopy at Whitley Bay station on the Tyne and Wear Metro is to be restored to its former glory.

The structure is Grade II listed and dates back to the Edwardian era. The glazing will be replaced during the restoration work and the steelwork will be strengthened and repainted. The station gained its Listed status in 1986, six years after the Tyne and Wear Metro system opened.

As well as the historic canopy, the station also has an unusual relic from the past in a stamps machine mounted in an old phone box.

The glazing work involves reinstating the glass directly above the Metro tracks and replacing it with more robust modern alternatives. Once complete, customers will benefit from a more sheltered environment for customers., while there of the steelwork.

Nexus, the public body which owns and manages the Tyne and Wear Metro, obtained planning permission to carry out major works on the listed station building last year, and following a detailed procurement process has now appointed Buckingham Group to carry out the work.

Whitley Bay Metro Station will remain open for customers throughout the duration of the works.

So that people can find out more about the project, Nexus will be holding public drop-in sessions in the portico at the Station Road entrance of Whitley Bay Metro station on 23rd May from 11 am to 1 pm and on Thursday, 25th May from 4 pm to 6 pm.

Major Projects Director at Nexus, Cathy Massarella, said: “This major conservation project will restore Whitley Bay Metro station to its former glory.

“The building is Grade II listed, built in 1910, and is an important gateway into North Tyneside from the Tyne and Wear Metro. The canopy needs to be refurbished and we are progressing the work as part of our Metro modernisation programme.

“We are delighted to have appointed Buckingham Group Ltd to carry out this major project on behalf of Nexus.
“The restoration work will focus on the canopy and the steelwork. The steel will undergo remedial repair work and will be repainted. We will also replace the glazing, restoring the glazing across the tracks as it was originally constructed.

“Whitley Bay is a station with a great deal of charm. The station has proudly served Metro since the network opened. This project will ensure that the station is there for locals and visitors to enjoy for many decades to come.”

North Tyneside’s Elected Mayor Norma Redfearn DBE said: “As well as being a source of pride for local people, Whitley Bay Station is one of the finest examples of Edwardian railway architecture anywhere in Britain. The canopy is one of its most striking features and we look forward to seeing the restoration take shape.”

Rob Harwood, Contracts Director for Buckingham, said: “We are delighted to have secured this exciting, important, restoration project, and to continue our long-term relationship with Nexus. In restoring the canopy our aim is to protect and enhance the structure so that the people of North Tyneside can enjoy the benefits of this important station for many years to come.”