Sunderland railway station.

[Rhyd59]

I had a couple of hours or so to kill there one evening before grabbing a sleeper to Berlin and had a nice little time. Popped in a chocolate shop, grabbed some bottles of Belgian beer for the journey, and sat down for a burger and drinks just outside the entrance.

Guess you can’t argue with stats (well, you can) but it seemed quite normal. I’ve certainly been in far dodgier stations elsewhere.

Thankfully, railway stations don't seem as ropey as they once were ?
Some have been given a great makeover, such as Birmingham New Street - although the platforms are still dark & dingy.
They definitely seem safer when going to away games, as nowadays, seldom ever get a welcoming committee from the home team.
Glasgow Central is a great station, as is Edinburgh Waverley...

 

[Mackemansj1]

That’s exactly it like. The people whinging just want another opportunity to blame the council and slag off their own city a bit more. What the fuck do you want a train station to do or be? Better layout of seats and some art work and it’s absolutely fine.

I mean Christ almighty, do they even remember what it looked like before??

It was class back in the 90s, a different time like but WH Smith’s, wimpy, a bakers and a few other things in the space that’s now a glass box. It needs something they promised there would be something. The little coffee hut was a canny start and the coffee wasn’t bad when I grabbed one waiting for my train the other month.

 

[Forty]

It’s often the case that they’ll do a half arsed, temporary solution. As I said they should have relocated the station entirely. They could have built it from scratch and made it much better. All we have here in the modern version of old shed place they used to have before.
Not surprised tbh

It should have gone to the Sheepfolds. Once in a lifetime opportunity. Main entrance at Monkwearmouth station untouched.
With all the development on the sheepfolds side.
Platforms extended down to take in St Peters for disabled access at lifts.
It could have been the main gateway to the city.

 

[Roadhouse]

It should have gone to the Sheepfolds. Once in a lifetime opportunity. Main entrance at Monkwearmouth station untouched.
With all the development on the sheepfolds side.
Platforms extended down to take in St Peters for disabled access at lifts.
It could have been the main gateway to the city.

I think its location now is perfect. Just needs the shops above knocking down and sorting out.

 

[Wearside Wanderer II]

Should have done similar to the previous station build with shops facing outwards for passing trade.
Just been down with as little imagination as possible for the least effort and cost.
Half arsed job

 

[garyeaststand]

So the building is the problem

No , the internal design/fit out or lack of that is the problem , the overall station could be improved with the north end and the plans look decent, but to really do it properly they need to open up the whole thing to let light in so you don’t have the underground feel to it

 

[SAFCTEES]

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Just because someone in power says something will be “stunning” and cost however many tens of millions doesn’t mean it will be good - this train station is an example of that.

It is possible to build better and less cold uninviting places in Sunderland city centre.

Have hope and DEMAND more from those in power - It’s YOUR city.

 

[Brett]

See Lewis Atkinson said he Network and northern rail have not upheld promises made regarding the station

Was on a Facebook live post yesterday if anyone is interested

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Should have done similar to the previous station build with shops facing outwards for passing trade.
Just been down with as little imagination as possible for the least effort and cost.
Half arsed job

It has units , just network rail won't back down from the rent charges so currently unfilled

 

[Weremuthe]

Should have done similar to the previous station build with shops facing outwards for passing trade.
Just been down with as little imagination as possible for the least effort and cost.
Half arsed job

I suspect much of the cost was an accountancy sleight of hand - over the years the owners have talked about how many millions have been invested but it seems like nothing like that amount has been spent, has it been spent elsewhere?

It's all a bit New Labour PFI-ish i.e. done on the cheap and pay through the nose for the original contractor to come back and repair it, broken light bulb £100 call-out and £50 materials!

 

[chicken nugget]

I suspect much of the cost was an accountancy sleight of hand - over the years the owners have talked about how many millions have been invested but it seems like nothing like that amount has been spent, has it been spent elsewhere?

It's all a bit New Labour PFI-ish i.e. done on the cheap and pay through the nose for the original contractor to come back and repair it, broken light bulb £100 call-out and £50 materials!

Not entirely sure what its got to do with New labour like, whoever they are

 

[Weremuthe]

Not entirely sure what its got to do with New labour like, whoever they are

The PFI-lite culture of government owned funding.

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(Not endorsing what Lyle said but there is one interesting comment with the post)

 

[Darlo1973]

Listed as one of the worst stations in the country along with Darlington and Middlesbrough

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No surprise that Euston is the worst but I don't think Darlo is that bad. Not great but there are a lot worse.

 

[Sgt Pepper]

Listed as one of the worst stations in the country along with Darlington and Middlesbrough

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No surprise that Euston is the worst but I don't think Darlo is that bad. Not great but there are a lot worse.

Depressing as it may be to think or admit, but both Boro station and Darlington station especially are your typical grand old building type railway stations and are in a different league to how Sunderland’s looks. I hand on heart don’t think I’ve ever used many in the UK as bad as ours.

 

[Shandy drinker]

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Just because someone in power says something will be “stunning” and cost however many tens of millions doesn’t mean it will be good - this train station is an example of that.

It is possible to build better and less cold uninviting places in Sunderland city centre.

Have hope and DEMAND more from those in power - It’s YOUR city.

I was suspicious when as you say “stunning” was used and bosses pictured with hi viz on
It was quickly apparent to me it wasn’t stunning and design and architecture wa done by the work experience boy

It look like a 90s leisure centre already ear marked for demolition

I’m sure the 60s station could of been adapted and modified to provide a better result

 

[Darlo1973]

Depressing as it may be to think or admit, but both Boro station and Darlington station especially are your typical grand old building type railway stations and are in a different league to how Sunderland’s looks. I hand on heart don’t think I’ve ever used many in the UK as bad as ours.

Nothing wrong with Darlo and Boro which a bit of money wouldn't solve, both are grand stations which have fallen on hard times, and Darlo is in the middle of a big upgrade. Sunderland station is beyond fixing.

 

[Shandy drinker]

Listed as one of the worst stations in the country along with Darlington and Middlesbrough

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No surprise that Euston is the worst but I don't think Darlo is that bad. Not great but there are a lot worse.

A timeout expert!!
Ffs some wanna be journalist regurgitating articles and ai generated

 

[Skylon]

I was suspicious when as you say “stunning” was used and bosses pictured with hi viz on
It was quickly apparent to me it wasn’t stunning and design and architecture wa done by the work experience boy

It look like a 90s leisure centre already ear marked for demolition

I’m sure the 60s station could of been adapted and modified to provide a better result

Haway mate,the 60's one was a mess

 

[The Great Soprendo]

Depressing as it may be to think or admit, but both Boro station and Darlington station especially are your typical grand old building type railway stations and are in a different league to how Sunderland’s looks. I hand on heart don’t think I’ve ever used many in the UK as bad as ours.

To be fair the Luftwaffe had a part to play in Sunderland no longer having one of those, though being located in a cutting never did it many favours and apparently was a bit dismal even before that.

 

[Darlo1973]

A timeout expert!!
Ffs some wanna be journalist regurgitating articles and ai generated

That's the nature of jornalism these days. Regurtitate someone else's content. The source was a Telegraph article:

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[Shandy drinker]

That's the nature of jornalism these days. Regurtitate someone else's content. The source was a Telegraph article:

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It can’t even be classed as journalism it’s like a school project

Right now children using the school library and your knowledge I want you to pick and rank the best and worst uk railway stations

That's the nature of jornalism these days. Regurtitate someone else's content. The source was a Telegraph article:

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So syndicated regurgitated rubbish
Do they think we are fools

I’m surprised it’s not a

I visited 500 railway stations and one thing I learned

Then a tenuous tirade about Rachel reeves or keir starmer

To be fair the Luftwaffe had a part to play in Sunderland no longer having one of those, though being located in a cutting never did it many favours and apparently was a bit dismal even before that.

View attachment 25580

Looks better than the present one