Halifax station masterplan moves forward
The Leeds office of WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff has been appointed by Calderdale Council to take forward plans to deliver the ‘Halifax Station Gateway’.
The professional services and engineering consultancy will set out a strategic programme to deliver the existing station masterplan and improve connectivity for the town centre which is currently undergoing a multi-million-pound transformation.
WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff will conduct a feasibility design and business case appraisal for the remodelling and regeneration of the station and surrounding public realm. The study will be supported by the Halifax Station Gateway Steering Group, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Network Rail.
As well as improved station facilities, the study also will identify upgrades to road and pedestrian routes from the station through to the town centre. This will include improved links to the new cultural quarter which includes Eureka! The National Children’s Museum and a number of major development projects set to re-open this year, including the multi-million-pound transformation of the historic Piece Hall; the extension of Square Chapel Centre for the Arts and a new purpose-built central library.
Project director Adrian Kemp at WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff in Leeds, said: “We are able to draw on UK-wide expertise having worked on major station masterplans in York, London Bridge, Manchester, Newcastle and Stockport – which we also delivered in partnership with BDP.
“This, combined with our teams’ wealth of local knowledge, puts us in a great position to create an exceptional station for the town, and a distinctive gateway to Halifax and Calderdale. Our breadth of expertise across multiple disciplines will enable the team to unlock the economic benefits of investing in a better-connected, improved station for the people of Calderdale as well as business and leisure passengers.”
Calderdale Council’s cabinet member for regeneration and economic development, Cllr Barry Collins, said: “The Halifax Station gateway is a key part of our strategy to regenerate the town centre and I’m delighted that our plans are now being put into action.
“It’s a very timely development given that The Piece Hall transformation is nearing completion, the new Central Library will open later this year and work on the Square Chapel extension is well underway. As visitors catch their first glimpse of the town as they leave the station they won’t fail to be impressed.”
The final feasibility report is expected to be submitted in October.
