The first stage of a six-year £2.6m programme to upgrade Sunderland’s train station is about to start with the appointment of BAM Nuttall on the southern entrance redevelopment.

Construction and engineering specialist BAM Nuttall has been appointed as the principal contractor by Network Rail, after ambitious plans for the train station’s revamp were approved by Sunderland City Council in July.

BAM Nuttall has been awarded the contract through the Network Rail Framework, and preparatory works are due to begin in early 2022, with demolition of the existing southern entrance clearing the way for the construction of a new statement building, which will overlook Market Square.

The new entrance features a large glass wrap-around design, and will include a new ticket office and reception, public toilets, retail space and cafes, comfortable waiting areas, as well as a new mezzanine level that will have office space reserved for railway industry staff.

It is the first part of a six-year programme that will see the northern entrance of the station reimagined and platform-level works undertaken to increase the capacity of the station, with four tracks and four platforms to separate Nexus and Metro from mainline services.

Rob Storrie, Project Director for BAM Nuttall said: “We know that this project has been a long-time in the making for Sunderland’s rail passengers and we’re delighted to get the green light to proceed.

“We hope that the new station will be a welcome change for all passengers. The building features a glazed façade that will help create a bright welcoming concourse. It will provide a much more fitting gateway to Sunderland and we hope that it will encourage even greater use of the railway in the North East.”

Tony Fitzgerald, Construction Director for BAM Construct UK’s North East team, said: “We have significant buildings under construction across Teesside, Tyneside and further afield. You cannot fail to see the significance of the new station to Sunderland’s appeal to visitors and commuters alike.

Councilor Graeme Miller, Leader of Sunderland City Council, said: “We’re delighted to be working with BAM Nuttall to develop a station that will improve the overall travel experience to and from Sunderland and making it a station we can all be proud of.”