Consultation begins for major York station plans
The entrance to York railway station look set to be completely changed, including the demolition of a redundant road bridge and a new ‘Station Square’ created, as part of major re-development plans under consultation.
The City of York Council is this week starting a four week public consultation into the major plans, which include the option to remove Queen Street bridge, change taxi rank and car parking and add a station square.
Plans show that currently hidden parts of the city walls could be revealed and the area around York Railway Institute’s (RI) will be improved – although the RI stands to lose its band room.
The council is working with Network Rail, the Virgin Trains Coast Mainline, engineering and design consultancy Arup and Norther Powerhouse to develop the masterplan. Once the consultation period concludes, a planning application for the first phase of works will be submitted.
The City of York Council said: “Since 1877 York Railway Station has helped to transform the city, connecting York to the wider world. Now the station and surrounding area are set to play a key role in the development of York Central; one of the largest city-centre regenerations in Europe.
“We want to reorganise the awkward and confusing entrance to the railway station to keep vehicles and pedestrians apart, make it easier to change between modes of transport, create new public spaces and a more pedestrian-friendly experience and create an improved setting for the City Walls and other heritage buildings in the area.”
The project will receive funding through the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund and the Leeds City Region Growth Deal, a £1 bn package of Government investment through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
