to develop the area surrounding the station. The portico redevelopment was completed in April 2014. The redevelopment plans contained a number of changes, including: New retail space in the portico area, which was glazed to provide weather protection as well as retail units replacing the existing ticket office and travel centre. This double the previous retail space to make it equivalent to that of King's Cross Station. The travel centre and ticket office were reduced in size and relocated to the area beyond the Sainsbury's Local store. Improved toilet facilities. Clearer signage. Increased covered cycle-park space. A simpler layout that is claimed to accentuate the grade one listed architecture including the Castle Keep. The line of sight across the concourse was also improved. Sand-blasting of the walls and new lighting were fitted. Previous access points to the station were moved to make it easier to enter and leave the station. Improved waiting rooms. Alteration to the existing bridge structure. New lifts and escalators. New glazed canopies. The redevelopment plan also included a number of changes to the area surrounding the station, including: New taxi rank to the east side of the former portico. A two-way cycle track at the west end of Neville Street. Change of traffic flow patterns to ease congestion. Pedestrian crossings on Neville Street and Grainger Street. Pedestrianisation of the car-park space outside the Centurion Pub. Wider footways and pavement cafes outside the station. The work began in May 2013 and was completed during April 2014 by Miller Construction. The station operated as normal throughout the works. The £8.6million funding for the internal station work was provided by the Department for Transport's Station Commercial Project Facility Fund. The external works were jointly funded by NE1, Regional Growth Fund and Newcastle City Council. Writing in his 2017 book Britain’s 100 Best Stations, British journalist and author Sir Simon Jenkins described the glazing of the portico and its conversion to retail usage as a “disaster” and ”thoughtless”, saying “What had been epic became anaemic.” In 2021, a restoration of disused toilet facilities near platform 12, thought to date back to the 1890s, was completed. Railway infrastructure Trains cross the River Tyne on one of two bridges. The older High Level Bridge south-east of the station, designed by Robert Stephenson opened on 27 September 1849. Its location meant north–south trains had to reverse in the station to continue their journey.