Ashington Station:
Ashington, the terminus station on the Northumberland line, was rebuilt into a single-platform station, with the existing Station Car Park to be expanded to a capacity of 275 spaces, including 18 EV Charging Points, and 20 disabled spaces.
McCann’s scope included the supply and installation of 39 street lighting columns and lanterns, 17 signs, one feeder pillar, and over 3,000 meters of associated cabling and electrical works to illuminate the new car park fully. Works commenced in August 2023 and were completed in December 2023, with testing and snagging completed the following September due to the wider project timeline.
Adapting to additional scope and unforeseen challenges
To maintain project momentum, during the installation of the lighting columns, McCann installed a temporary electricity supply to power the site until the principal contractor could complete building a new substation. The substation was not originally part of the client’s wider project scope, but the increased power demand from the new EV charging points necessitated an upgrade, as the existing feeder pillar could not handle the load. This unplanned change and additional scope in McCann’s works did not delay the overall project timeline, as it was absorbed within the broader programme schedule.
A minor challenge arose when the feeder pillar was built to a different specification than the design provided. McCann carried out reworks to correct wiring layouts and equipment positioning to meet the approved design, again, with no impact on the timeline due to the wider project programme.
This project showcases McCann’s abilities within the Lighting, Signs and Technology services, and how our expert team adapts to unforeseen challenges to support our clients and keep the projects running to programme and budget.
Newsham Station:
As part of the extensive Northumberland Line project, McCann delivered its largest scope of work at Newsham Station, beginning in May 2024. This complex, multi-faceted project required significant planning and execution across both highways and railway infrastructure.
Our team was responsible for installing 163 road signs throughout the station car park and surrounding roads. These included a mix of directional signage and essential instructional signs. In addition, we installed 12 bollards, 49 lighting columns and lanterns, 4,100 metres of cabling, and five feeder pillars to support the station’s new infrastructure.
A particularly challenging part of the project involved installing lighting columns on the new bridge deck. Initially, these columns were installed without lanterns due to the project’s phased approach. This caused problems because of bridge movement, which produced excessive vibrations; as a result, the column brackets loosened, leading our team to temporarily remove the columns to prevent further damage. We proposed installing damper kits to minimise vibration effects, a solution that the client accepted and implemented. Consequently, damper kits will now be recommended for future projects involving bridge lighting, especially where phased installation of columns and lanterns is planned.
Working with complex traffic management logistics
The Newsham Station site presented several logistical challenges. The team had to work around complex traffic management requirements, including maintaining access to newly constructed roundabouts and ensuring continuous pedestrian and vehicle access throughout the site and surrounding areas.
The wider scope of the Northumberland Line works included upgrades to existing highways, construction of two new roundabouts, a road bridge over the railway, a pedestrian footbridge, two new car parks, and dual platforms at the station, contributing to a critical enhancement of the region’s transportation infrastructure. McCann’s work at Newsham Station stands as a testament to our ability to deliver high-quality, innovative solutions within complex and evolving environments.
Seaton Delaval Station:
This project involved the development of a new single-platform railway station and accompanying car park at Seaton Delaval, which is the fourth stop for trains travelling on the Northumberland Line. The works included the full construction of the station platform, a new highway access road, and a signalised junction. Modifications were made to the surrounding highways and pedestrian footways to support safe and efficient access.
McCann’s expert team installed 66 signs across the carpark and completed the installation of seven new columns and lanterns, and upgraded seven existing columns on the surrounding roads. This work improved visibility and safety around the station and access routes.
Utilising the local community
Throughout this project, efforts were made to prioritise local procurement, sourcing supplies and services such as cable cutouts, feeder pillars, and general building materials from suppliers within a 50-mile radius. Additionally, the project supported the local economy through spending within the hospitality sector.
The project commenced in August 2024 and was completed on time and within budget by the reopening of the station in December 2024, despite minor early delays from the principal contractor. Community disruption remained minimal, with only one notable concern raised regarding glare from the newly installed street lighting. Guidance on lighting design and potential adjustments was provided to the client, though no further action was ultimately required from our team.
This was a well-managed scheme with minimal disruption and strong outcomes across safety, quality, and timeline adherence.
“Working with J McCann at Seaton Delaval was a great experience. Andy Greenwood (Project Manager for McCanns) and the team were highly responsive, with Andy always providing swift, well-thought-out, and helpful responses to any queries.
The team demonstrated exceptional adaptability, reacting efficiently to the ever-changing nature of the works and using their extensive knowledge to advise on design updates as needed. Despite our full schedule, McCanns worked seamlessly around our programme and collaborated well with other subcontractors on-site, often stepping in at a moment’s notice.
Their professionalism and commitment ensured that the final scheme was installed as per the design, and the entire process was smooth from start to finish. Overall, it was a pleasure working with J McCann, and I would gladly work with them again in the future.” Alice Simpson – Civil Engineer, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure
In delivering lighting, signage, bollards, and associated electrical works across three Northumberland Line stations, McCann has demonstrated the strength of our core capabilities in complex transport infrastructure projects. From adapting to rail-specific safety protocols to addressing evolving technical requirements, our team showcased reliability, flexibility, and innovation. We’re proud to have played a role in this transformative regional scheme, enhancing public transport while meeting the specialist challenges of working in and around active railway environments. The Northumberland Line project reflects our continued commitment to quality, collaboration, and delivering infrastructure solutions that stand the test of time.
