The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has confirmed release of a further £10.5m of funding to begin construction of the York Station Gateway project.
The funding comes from the West Yorkshire-Plus Transport Fund and the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, which aim to help more people to walk, cycle and use public transport. The confirmation of the funding to deliver the project follows extensive consultation, completion of a scheme of enabling works and will allow the purchase of land and the appointment of a delivery contractor.
The council is working with partners the Combined Authority, Network Rail and LNER to deliver this transformative project. The funding has been released to construct the highways elements of the scheme and will be used to create a new and improved gateway to the city by improving access to the station, introducing new public spaces and better showcasing the city’s heritage sites. A further release of funding is anticipated later to deliver the final phases of work to York Station.
It[‘s said that these improvements will make for a more effective interchange across all types of transport. Arriving and using the station will become simpler for everybody, including pedestrians, cyclists, bus users, and those arriving in taxis and using parking facilities. The setting of the city walls will also be improved alongside upgraded public spaces. Over the past year, utility companies have been carrying out enabling works, such as essential utility diversions, around Queen Street Bridge. These enabling works are almost complete and this funding confirmation will enable the project to move into the next stages, with a contractor set to be appointed in the coming months.
Cllr Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council, said: “This latest confirmation of funding is very welcome news. This funding will help us unlock improvements that will allow for easier and safer access to and around the station, better public spaces and ultimately an improved gateway to our amazing city.
“Thank you to everybody who has been involved and supported this project so far. We appreciate your patience as we continue working with partners to ensure minimum disruption to local residents, businesses and visitors. We look forward to the next phases of the project and seeing these important developments begin to take shape.”
Paul Rutter, East Coast Route Director for Network Rail, said: “York is one of the most sustainable transport cities in the country and this project will help us go even further. An improved transport interchange and revamped public space around the station will make it more welcoming and accessible for all. We’re expecting even more people to access the station on foot, on bicycle or by public transport once the work is completed.”
