LONG-TERM planning and investment in one of the North-East’s principal railway stations should be made easier following a power shift.

Transport Secretary Nick McLoughlin has agreed to transfer responsibility for Newcastle Central Station to Network Rail, working in partnership with Newcastle City Council.

Decision-making over development of the 164-year-old station has been linked to franchise arrangements for the East Coast Mainline.

The move means it will now be managed along similar lines to the country’s other busiest railway stations.

It arises from negotiations between city council leader Nick Forbes and Mr McLoughlin, following consultation with Network Rail on future investment opportunities for the Grade I-listed station.

Welcoming the decision, coun Forbes said: “Linking Newcastle Central Station to the East Coast Main Line franchise could have been a barrier to long term planning and investment.

“I’m delighted that, as a result of the compelling case which we put forward, Newcastle station will now be separated from these short-term commercial considerations, and managed for the long-term interests of passengers.

“This opens up new investment opportunities, including a new access point to the south of the station to connect it to jobs and investment in the Stephenson Quarter of the city.

“We can now plan with more certainty to upgrade the station for the long-term, including for high speed trains for the East Coast and HS2.

“Newcastle’s iconic station has played an important role in the history of the railways.

“We can now look forward to a bright future in confidence.”

He added that it would enable the new joint overseers to move further and faster with investment to develop the station as “a modern gateway” to the region.