The future of Tynemouth Station - previously recognised as one of the highest priority buildings at risk in the country - is to be secured with the start of work on its historic canopies.
Work has started at the Grade II* listed building following a rescue package resulting from a public and private partnership. The station will remain fully open to Metro passengers while work takes place.
Craftsmen will embark on a 52 week project to replace the many panes of glass, and repair ironwork while additional work will create a performance area on the platform underneath to increase the station's use as a cultural visitor attraction.
The rescue response was co-ordinated by a stakeholder group, led by North Tyneside Council which secured £1.9m of government funding through the 'Sea Change' programme.
Additional funding from North Tyneside Council, English Heritage and Nexus has secured the £3.68m project, which has the support of Station Developments Ltd, the owners the station, who have also contributed to the refurbishment fund.
Nexus, despite owning and managing Metro, does not own Tynemouth station, apart from the platform fronts. it is keen to play a part in the conversation.
A pilot scheme for the repair and preservation of the standing canopies has previously been carried out with the support of English Heritage to establish the principles of repair and specialist working methods.
Where new ironwork sections have to be created these will be fabricated to match original patterns as faithfully as possible.
The re-glazing will fit with the approach adopted in the last major restoration scheme in the late 1980's, including the use of toughened tinted glass. And the entire site will be repainted using a colour scheme that was used at the station when it was operated by the London &North Eastern Railway (LNER).
The prospect that the building can soon be removed from its 'Buildings at Risk' register has been warmly welcomed by English Heritage.
Carol Pyrah, North East Planning Director at English Heritage said: "To many, it looked like the story of Tynemouth Station would be one of decline and decay. We are therefore delighted that this station - one of the finest Victorian railway stations in Britain - will be saved.
"This was no overnight rescue but one which took many years and many partners, all working together to secure its future. For our part, we have invested our expertise and over £1m towards the protection and repair of this station. And we will continue to provide support for this latest phase of repairs."
Station Developments have scoured the country for contractors with the specialist and traditional expertise to carry out the work, they will also oversee the procurement work.
Morris Muter, Chief Executive of Station Developments, said "I am absolutely delighted that we have been able to secure funding which has enabled us to place a contract with local company, Mansell Construction, who are the main contractor to undertake the works.
"We have worked with our partners CABE, North Tyneside Council, English Heritage and Nexus to bring forward a programme of refurbishment which will result in the restoration of the existing ruinous canopies.
"We have also been supported by The Friends of Tynemouth Station and many local groups and individuals who wish to see the whole of the station brought back into use.
"I now look forward to executing the works over the coming year and, with our partners, unveiling the restored heritage asset to the public early in 2012."