TRAINS are calling once again at a station serving Horden on the Durham Coast for the first time since May 1964.

The station is not far from the post-war new town of Peterlee and will serve a catchment area with a population of 70,000. It has an hourly train service from 29 June in each direction which calls at all stations between Newcastle and Middlesbrough.

The total cost of rebuilding Horden station on a new site, just over a kilometre north of the old one, has been £10.55 million, mostly provided by Durham County Council and Network Rail. The Department for Transport has contributed £4.4 million from its New Stations Fund.

Still in the north east, transport secretary Grant Shapps has also announced £8.7 million of investment to develop proposals to modernise Darlington station, including three new platforms. Another £2.45 million has been allocated to develop plans to add a new platform at Middlesbrough, and extend an existing one.

Tees Valley Mayor Ben Houchen said: ‘I am delighted that Government has once again thrown its weight behind my plans to upgrade both Darlington and Middlesbrough – a move which will help thousands of rail travellers in my region with more frequent and reliable services.’