Bid to save Sunderland Railway Station’s award-winning illuminated artwork

Lib Dem councillor Niall Hodson is raising concerns about the future of an award-winning light art installation at Sunderland's railway station, following the announcement last week that the station will be undergoing major refurbishment work.

Plans announced by Sunderland City Council last week include the reopening the closed platforms, which is currently home to 'Platform 5', a moving illuminated artwork designed and installed by the renowned Jason Bruges Studio.

'Platform 5' consists of moving ghostly characters that gradually appear behind the glass wall mirroring real life passengers waiting for a train opposite.

It won a national design award following its installation as a permanent feature at the Station during a previous refurbishment project in 2011.

Lib Dem councillor Niall Hodson, whose ward covers the railway station, is looking for reassurances from the Council and Network Rail, given that no mention of the artwork has been made in the new plans for the station.

"It is of course great to hear that Sunderland Station will be seeing some long-overdue investment and improvement," commented Lib Dem councillor Niall Hodson, "however it would be a crying shame if that means losing this celebrated public art installation."

"Millions of pounds were spent just ten years ago tidying up the Station platforms and commissioning the Jason Bruges Studio to custom-make a light artwork on the closed platform."

"Not only is the artwork a pleasant and popular visual feature of the station, but it also provides much-needed illumination to what is a dark, underground space."

"I'd like to hear the Council and its partners come forward with plans for saving this artwork, either as part of Sunderland Station's refurbishment, or perhaps moving it to another location where it can be continued to enjoyed by the public."