Station to undergo £20m facelift

Artist's impression of the new Haymarket Metro Station

Plans to spend £20m revamping one of Tyneside's busiest Metro stations to include offices have been approved.

The plan will see Nexus-run Haymarket Station in Newcastle, built in 1980, knocked down and replaced with a four-storey steel and glass building.

The station, which is used by 60,000 passengers a week, will also boast shops, a bar and a restaurant.

The work, due to be completed in 2008, will be carried out by and paid for by Newcastle-based Closegate Developments.

Some disruption

The proposal were granted planning permission by Newcastle City Council on Friday.

Bernard Garner, director general of operator Nexus, said: "We are working with Closegate to deliver a modern station for passengers now and in the future.

"When the work is complete people can look forward to transformed facilities at one of our busiest stations, significantly improving their experience of Metro."

During the work the station will not close, but there will be some disruption to passengers.

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