MP condemns 'unacceptable' issues at £27m station

Lewis Atkinson called for a public apology from Network Rail over issues at Sunderland station

An MP has publicly criticised Network Rail over "unacceptable" problems at a station that has undergone a £27m redevelopment.

A new southern entrance to Sunderland station was opened in December 2023 with Network Rail saying at the time that "finishing touches" would be applied in the next few months.

But Labour MP Lewis Atkinson said the new entrance had experienced prolonged periods where escalators, lifts, doors and toilets "were not functional".

Network Rail said it was aware of the concerns and it was working with local partners to address the issues.

The station is managed by the train company Northern but Atkinson said many of the maintenance problems affecting the entrance had been the responsibility of Network Rail.

In a letter, he said it had taken Network Rail 21 months to make lift repairs and put in a working escalator at the station.

"The people of Sunderland [have] endured unacceptable and prolonged periods where escalators, lifts, doors, toilets in the station were not functional," he said.

He added that there was a "lack of care" shown in completing the redevelopment scheme.

Caribe Coffee is the only retail business operating inside the refurbished Sunderland Station

Atkinson called on the head of Network Rail to make to make a public apology to Sunderland residents and commit to an internal review.

He said this would "demonstrate accountability and a commitment that such failures" would not be repeated.

Network Rail declined to comment on these specific calls.

The station was branded an "embarrassment" earlier this month by the city council's opposition leader, Liberal Democrat Paul Edgeworth.

Only one business, a coffee shop, has opened at the southern entrance since its redevelopment.