12.06.18
York invites public's views on £100m station revamp
The City of York Council is calling on locals to give their views on a £100m reshaping of the front of York station into a “fitting gateway to the city.”
Under the proposals, the current Queen Street Bridge would be removed to create the space for the changes. They include a revamped transport interchange for cars, buses, taxis, and cyclists, and relocating the taxi rank, drop-off point and short-stay parking access to create car-free public spaces in Team Room Square and a new ‘Station Square.’
Parts of the city wall, the station, and the York Railway Institute will also be revealed to offer a better setting for the city’s heritage.
The project to transform the front of York station will receive funding from the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund, and the Leeds City Region Growth Deal as part of a £1bn package of government investment from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership.
The executive member for transport for York City Council, Peter Dew, said: “Travelling to and from the station is a far from ideal experience, whichever mode of transport you use. We now have a fantastic opportunity to make it much easier to use, especially with the station set for a three-fold increase in passenger numbers over the next 30 years.
“I am pleased to see more progress being made in such an important area for the city, and look forward to joining the conversation with local residents and businesses.”
The council is working with Network Rail, the Intercity East Coast Main Line franchise and engineering and design private consultancy Arup to create a planning application for the first phase of the works, which would deal with the removal of Queen Street Bridge.
Cllr Andrew Waller, deputy leader of the council, said transforming the front of the station is “integral” to making it fit for the 21st century, adding that the station plays a vital role in connecting the station to the city centre and surrounding communities.
“Our residents, visitors and stunning heritage all deserve a much better gateway to the city! These plans have the potential to deliver it – now we need residents, businesses and groups to engage to help us make the most of the opportunity,” explained Waller.
Residents have until midnight on Monday 9 July to have their say on the plans. Click here to give views online, or visit City of York Council’s Facebook or Twitter page and use #yorkstation to give feedback and views.
Enjoying RTM? Subscribe here to receive our weekly news updates or click here to receive a copy of the magazine!
Image credit: wcjohnston