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The main concourse at Sunderland station is to close early at nights to allow for a £6.9 million refurbishment funded by Nexus. From February 4 the main (south) concourse will close after 8.50pm Monday to Saturday while an escalator is installed at the station. In addition the lift in the main concourse will be out of action at all times from February 4 to be replaced. The north concourse, which also has a lift, remains open at all times, and passengers should use this after 8.50pm or if they cannot use the stairs. Metro trains will stop at the north end of the station – platforms 1 and 4 – after 8.50pm rather than their normal stopping points while the main concourse is closed. Ken Mackay, Nexus Director of Rail and Infrastructure, said: “Work is really getting going at Sunderland from February 4 with an escalator to be installed for the first time and the lift from the south concourse replaced. “We have kept disruption to a minimum but the south concourse will be closed after 8.50pm Monday to Saturday, when passengers should instead use the north concourse, nearer to High Street West. “The lift in the south concourse will be closed at all times from February 4 for about four months. During this time passengers with wheelchairs, buggies or heavy loads can use the lift at the north concourse.” Nexus is investing £6.9 million in the complete refurbishment of the platform areas at Sunderland station, which is used by more than a million Metro passengers every year as well as Northern and Grand Central passengers. As well as a new escalator and lift, all walls, ceilings and floors will be replaced and a dynamic new lighting scheme. New colour finishes for the administration buildings that run along the centre of the platform will create a series of more intimate spaces. Architects Reid Jubb Brown and engineers Arup created the new design, working with artist Morag Morrison – who designed the distinctive colour scheme for other Metro stations on the Sunderland line. The project will take around two years to complete with the lift and escalator installed first. A model of the platform areas is on display at Sunderland Civic Centre for the next three weeks.
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