The first step towards transforming Sunderland station was made on May 2, when demolition of the old southern entrance began.

Passengers will face disruption for two years, while contractor BAM Nuttall carries out the £26 million first-stage transformation of the interchange between Grand Central and Northern main line services and the Tyne & Wear Metro. 

The new entrance features a large glass wrap-around design that includes a new ticket office and waiting area, retail space and cafes, and office space for rail staff. 

Meanwhile, Sunderland City Council is drumming up support for a full revamp to the northern entrance as well as platform-level works to increase capacity, with four tracks and four platforms to separate main line and light rail services. This much larger project may not be completed until the end of the decade.