Investment is needed NOW for Sunderland’s tired old railway station – and I am campaigning for urgent action.

This week I wrote to the Chief Executive of Network Rail, asking for an urgent meeting to discuss the future of our station.

So many exciting things are happening in Sunderland right now – and we need and deserve a station that is fit for purpose.

£1.3billion is to be invested in the local economy in the coming years, in ten months time we welcome the world famous Tall Ships Races and Sunderland has also been shortlisted in the prestigious UK City of Culture 2021 competition.

By contrast, our railway station looks tired, offers a poor welcome to the city and doesn’t even have a public toilet. It needs redeveloping urgently if we are to maximise both investment and the benefits of investment in Sunderland.