£14.5m secured to transform key gateway to city

West Yorkshire Combined Authority has confirmed the scheme will be funded from its £317m allocation from the Transforming Cities Fund.

The fund aims to improve journeys by bus, rail, bike and on for up to 1.5m people, supporting Zero Carbon ambitions while providing a 21st century transport network to create economic growth.

Under the proposals, the redundant Queen Street Bridge would be removed to create the space for the changes, which include: an improved transport interchange with separate arrival points for cars, buses, taxis and cyclists; moving the taxi-rank, drop-off points and short stay parking access to create car-free public spaces in Tea Room Square; and a new ‘Station Square’.

This would also reveal hidden parts of the City Wall, the station and York Railway Institute’s buildings to offer a better setting for the city’s heritage.

And there will be improved pedestrian and cycle routes, connecting to the new pedestrian and cycle path over Scarborough Bridge

Councillor Keith Aspden, leader of City of York Council, said: “After securing £77.1m to unlock York Central, this is more great news for our residents and businesses.

“The railway station transformed York’s fortunes in the past, and – alongside York Central – will play just as big a role in delivering clean, inclusive growth in the 21st century.

“These changes will improve everyone’s arrival experience, reveal some hidden parts of our medieval walls and provide a fitting gateway to our wonderful city.”

Cllr Andy D’Agorne, deputy leader and executive member for Transport, said: “This is great news for residents and businesses, and for realising our ambitions to become a carbon neutral city by 2030.

“The station improvements will greatly improve the station for people using all modes of transport. Removing Queen Street bridge will give us the space to make journeys by public transport, cycling and pedestrian journeys more attractive.”

The Government will provide the West Yorkshire Combined Authority with the £317m from the Transforming Cities Fund to progress all schemes within their ‘Low’ scenario.

Cllr Kim Groves, chairman of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee said: “We are delighted with the Government’s announcement in the budget to support our region’s Transforming Cities Fund bid, which means we will be able to deliver a transformational programme of new infrastructure, and help create a step change in travel across the region.

“The £317m announced in the budget, one of the biggest allocations nationally, means we will be able to begin delivery of our ambitious programme, which will dramatically improve access to public transport, cycling and walking across the region.

“The schemes that will be delivered by the programme will complement the significant investment we are already making through the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund and the Connecting Leeds programme, as well as our emerging plans for mass transit and wider connectivity across West Yorkshire.

“Through the Transforming Cities Fund programme, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and partners across the region aim to boost public transport, build high quality infrastructure for people to travel by bike or on foot, and help us to start to address the climate crisis.”

The council shared proposals following an extensive public consultation in summer 2018, which saw over 1,500 people share their feedback on the scheme.

City of York Council is working with Network Rail, London North Eastern Railway and Northern Powerhouse to deliver the proposals.