16.11.17
Full steam ahead for Doncaster station upgrade
Plans to develop Doncaster train station are now formally underway as the council’s planning committee granted approval of the designs and layout of the new station forecourt.
Work has already begun on the multimillion-pound project, with phase one seeing the demolition of the old Royal Mail sorting office last year.
The car park will be moved to this site so that the front of the station can be opened up into a landscaped public space, with a water feature and seating areas.
As part of the road improvements included in the redevelopment, the taxi rank will be relocated within the station area and a ‘drop-off loop’ will provide a new one-way system for general traffic.
There are also plans for Virgin Trains, which manages the station, to invest £500,000 in a contemporary glass canopy in front of the station building.
Cllr Bill Mordue, cabinet member for business, skills and economic development, said: “It is great news that the transformation of the train station has received planning permission and we are now able to move ahead with all of the plans.
“Work is well underway on these City Gateway plans which will create a tremendous first impression as people arrive in Doncaster at our train station.”
The scheme is specifically designed to open up Doncaster’s town centre to more visitors and businesses, as well as improve the general atmosphere for residents through an attractive public space “which acts as a new gateway” into the city.
“As well as jobs during construction of these schemes we expect over 2,000 new jobs to be created by 2030 in our town centre,” he continued. “Once the station forecourt work is complete this will be real success story for Doncaster and Yorkshire and we are all committed to helping make our borough thrive.”
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