Key contract awarded for £25.73m station gateway project

The £25.73m project is to be delivered in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, London North Eastern Railway (LNER) and Network Rail.

John Sisk & Son has been awarded a contract for the £7.8m York Station Gateway highway works, including the removal of Queen Street bridge, realignment of Queen Street, creation of Station Square and improvements to the cycle and pedestrian routes.

Project partner LNER will go out to tender for the remaining station works phase of the project later this year.

The York Station Gateway project aims to:

• improve access to the station, by providing an easier and safer experience for people walking, cycling and using the bus, as well as new spaces for taxi drivers
• introduce welcoming new public spaces for everybody to enjoy, including Station Square
• showcase the city’s heritage sites at their very best by creating an improved setting for the City Walls and other heritage buildings in the area, as well as improving the walking and cycling routes underneath the City Walls

Over the past year utilities companies have been carrying out enabling works around Queen Street Bridge ahead of the main works starting later this year.

These works are now complete and John Sisk & Son will begin its pre-construction activities with the aim of starting work on site in the coming weeks.

Councillor Pete Kilbane, deputy leader and executive member for transport and economy at City of York Council, said: “This is a milestone for this transformative project which will create a fitting gateway for our beautiful and historic city.

“York Railway station has welcomed visitors and business to our city since 1877 and this project is among the most significant of many changes since then.

“As well as the transport improvements and welcoming, world-class public spaces, York will see major economic and social benefits, alongside the development of York Central.

“There are still some issues to be resolved, most notably around Blue Badge parking, but I am hugely grateful to everyone involved in the project who has helped us get to this point.”

Andrew Langley, major projects director UK Civil Engineering for John Sisk and Sons, said: “We are really excited to be continuing our involvement in delivering key infrastructure projects in the City of York.

“We will engage closely with the travelling public, business owners and residents of York to minimise disruption, and continue our engagement with local schools, employment providers, and community projects in York.”

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, added: “This scheme is a good example of how we are working with others to make it easier for people to travel between York and West Yorkshire.

“It is more important than ever to invest in a modern, accessible transport network that supports economic growth by connecting more people with jobs, training and education.”