After years of campaigning, Haxby Station has finally been given the green light.
The Department for Transport has agreed to fund both the station and phase one of the dualling of York Outer Ring Road.
Both projects looked in serious jeopardy this time last year – when fears were expressed that Haxby Station would never be built after Chancellor Rachel Reeves axed a £500m rail fund.
But the DfT announced today (Tuesday) it has given the green light to the scheme.
Labour Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said it came as part of £92bn in Government funding for road and rail upgrades which aimed to fast-track economic growth and jobs.
The station is set to be located on Towthorpe Road. It will be part of the York to Scarborough line and be the town’s first rail connection in almost 100 years after the previous station was closed in 1930.
City leaders have lined up to welcome the news.
City of York Council’s Labour leader Claire Douglas told YorkMix: “This is hugely important for the north of the city, and really helps us reach housing and transport priorities.
“Haxby Station will allow people that are coming from the north of the city to park up and get on a train to come directly into the centre of York, which is absolutely fantastic.
“And the York Outer Ring Road dualling will allow us to divert more traffic out of the city centre round the outer ring road, which we hope over time, will help us to really alleviate our congestion and air quality problems.”
Cllr Richard Watson, Liberal Democrat councillor for Haxby and Wigginton, said: “This is welcome news for our community but it’s frustrating that we lost a year due to Labour’s dithering.
“The funding was in place, the business case was ready, and local people were behind it. There was no excuse for the delay.
“We want to thank all of the residents who stood with us throughout this campaign, it’s thanks to their persistence, alongside Liberal Democrats, that this project is back on track.”
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire said: “From day one, I made improving our rail and bus services my top priority. Haxby Station is a fundamental part of that mission.
“This much needed investment from the Government will reduce congestion in the city centre and give thousands of people more sustainable options about how they move around our region.”
“This shows the strength of a Labour government, working with a Labour Mayor, MP and council here in York. Working together, we’ve got Haxby across the line and secured a real commitment for York. Now, it’s time for spades in the ground.”
York Outer MP Luke Charters said: “I am delighted to secure funding from the government for Haxby Station in York Outer – a project I’ve been tirelessly advocating for since being elected.
I’ve also been working closely with our Mayor David Skaith to advocate for this project which will deliver vital rail infrastructure that my constituents will benefit from.”
Government data shows that the Haxby scheme will bring around an extra 20,000 people within 3km of a rail station.
The Department for Transport stated it would help provide easy access between York and Leeds and open up a wealth of opportunies for work, leisure and travel.
Most of the other funding announcements for Yorkshire were road schemes
The A1237 York Outer Ring Road (phase 1) project will see some of the A1237 be dualled to reduce congestion.
And the A59 Kex Gill scheme will see the completion of a new single-carriageway diversion of the existing A59 incorporating a climbing lane and associated junction changes to avoid areas prone to land slips.
Meanwhile, the A66 Northern Trans-Pennine Project aims to complete the dualling of the road to create a contious carriageway between the M6 at Penrith to the A1(M) at Scotch Corner.
Improvements including the creation of a new roundabout at the A164 Jocks Lodge junction, near Beverley in East Yorkshire, will also continue to be funded following the announcement.