 A £20 million scheme to completely rebuild the station is well underway. The station will be closed after 7.45pm each evening from Sunday to Thursday but open as normal at other times. A landmark four-storey glass and steel building will rise above the existing station, providing a new gateway to the thriving Northumberland Street shopping area and university quarter for six million passengers every year.
The new building will feature shops, a bar-restaurant and offices. £5 million of the total cost will go towards building a new improved station area for Metro passengers, including new escalators. Both of the station's platforms will be refurbished, with new floors, walls and ceilings to enhance the waiting area.
As a result of the work, Haymarket will be closed to passengers from approximately 7.45pm until the end of service on Sundays to Thursdays for the entire two years of the project, with trains passing through without stopping. Passengers will not be able to enter the station from the street after 7.45pm. The last trains to call at the station each evening will be at 7.47pm (to South Hylton) and 7.48pm (to Airport). Occasionally during the construction work it will be necessary to close the station for slightly longer periods but this will be advertised on posters within the concourse. The new Haymarket Metro station is taking shape fast - but remains open daily for passengers.
Click on this slide show to see hhow the £20 million project is progressing.
Work is now well advanced at platform level, while the second of three new escalators is being installed. Above ground the outer 'skin' of the new building is being completed, after which the old station will be demolished from within.
Work is expectecd to be complete in early autumn 2009, when the new station, shops and bar-restaurant and office suite above will open as a new landmark for Newcastle city centre.
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