21.03.19
New plans for major improvements to York station submitted in ‘long-overdue masterplan’
Plans to make major changes to York railway station have been submitted in a “long-overdue” masterplan.
The £23.5m proposals will see the layout and chaotic entrance of York Central completely reorganised, and the removal of the Queen Street Bridge leading up to the station.
Provision for a suitable system for managing rail replacement buses and ‘appropriate’ counter-terrorism measures have been incorporated into the design.
The City of York Council has submitted the planning application for the works after a public consultation during last year’s summer, and after funding was confirmed last week.
The £23.5m is part of a £37.32m external funding package from the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund and Leeds City Region Growth Deal to be delivered by West Yorkshire Combined Authority, delivering the station upgrade and a generation of new homes.
The council said the station’s funding will contribute to the £155m infrastructure funding package for York Central, which together will open up the 72-hectare York Central site.
Currently surrounded by railway lines, the plans will “create vibrant and distinctive residential neighbourhoods, cultural spaces, and a high-quality commercial quarter at the heart of York.”
The funding will contribute to a new western access road, bridge and spine road into York Central, and add a fully-accessible western entrance into the railway station.
The ‘station frontage scheme’ will transform the interchange’s facilities, enhance accessibility, and create a new public realm at the front of York Central.
York council’s executive member for transport and planning, Peter Drew, commented: “York Station plays a key role in connecting the city to the wider region and country.
“Throughout the station’s lifetime it has seen several major upgrades, and this new masterplan is long overdue.
“This will bring the access up to modern standards and ensure that it is equipped for the expected three-fold increase in passenger numbers over the next 30 years and the introduction of York Central.”
Andrew Waller, the executive member for the environment, said the new masterplan will provide a greatly-improved space for people using all modes of transport.
The local authority said it had worked closely with Network Rail, LNER and the Northern Powerhouse to deliver the proposals.