PLANS to build a new railway station for an east Durham community have taken a step closer to reality with a site identified for the proposed facility.

Durham County Council has announced it is to seek views or plans to to build it off South East View, Horden, near Peterlee.

A number of places had been considered but Horden was chosen because it was central on the existing line between stations at Hartlepool and Seaham.

It is also near the main residential area of Peterlee and would serve Horden, Peterlee, Shotton Colliery Easington Colliery, Easington Village and Blackhall Colliery.

Based on the size of the population it is estimated the station will generate over 60,000 trips a year.

The news was welcomed by local county councillor Paul Stradling, who said it would open up a world of opportunities for job seekers.

He said: “I am pleased progress is being made. We are rapidly reaching decision day.

“The precise site had now been picked and has the agreement of all the partners.

“The only problem I can see is the increase in costs since the scheme was first started. We will need to raise extra money to do this, but I believe the county council is confident it can be done.”

He added: “The new railway station will benefit people seeking work at alternative job centres like Newcastle and Teesside.

“It will also open the area further to visitors to the Heritage Coast.”

Adrian White, the county council’s head of transport and contracts, said: “We continue to work hard to hopefully bring a railway station to Horden which we see as vitally important to increasing employment opportunities and to the future of the area by making access easier to nearby towns and cities.

“As part of the process we are looking to speak to people in the proposed catchment area so we can compile detailed, local evidence of support for a railway station as well as how people might use it.”

The new station will be unstaffed with two platforms for existing trains.

No buildings are planned, but the platforms will have waiting shelters, benches, lighting columns, help points and a CCTV.

There will also be a car park with capacity for 100 cars.

Horden’s previous railway station closed in the early 1960s under Dr Beeching’s cuts

A drop-in session will be held between 3.30pm and 8pm on Thursday October 6 at the Horden Social Welfare Centre, Miners Hall, Seventh Street. The closing date for comments is Thursday October 26. For more information visit www.durham.gov.uk/article/7707.