Big new plans for York Station revealed – to stop taxis and cars ‘choking’ entrance
LNER has unveiled new details of its plans to redevelop York Station, including a major overhaul for the drop-off point and main entrance.
If approved, the portico entrance, currently used primarily by taxis and cars, would be turned into a fully pedestrianised area, the openings in the stonework would be glassed over, and two new shop pods would be created.
The whole surface would also be levelled, to create an inviting “semi-indoor” area.
An application for consent to develop the listed building has been submitted in partnership with Seed Architects and City of York Council, as part of the wider York Station Gateway project.
The application says: “The portico is often choked by queues of taxis and cars…. This creates a poor pedestrian experience which offers little incentive to linger and enjoy the historic surroundings. As the main entrance, the portico’s visibility is key from all approaches.”
It says: “The project seeks to reinvigorate the station through improvement to the station entrance, and provide a welcoming environment within the Portico as the first impression of those using the station.”
The application says the works will be sympathetic to the listed status of the station building, and also to the Station Taxis kiosk, which dates to 1900 and which is itself has separate listed building status.
The application paperwork says several glazing works have been carried out at other stations, including Newcastle and Nottingham.
There have been concerns for many years about air pollution under the portico canopy, and the application says removing traffic will address that, by removing the cause of damage to the fabric of the building.
It says pedestrian access into the station will be improved, there will be increased capacity for busy event days in the city, and the new shop pods will improve the space.
The broader £26 million York Station Gateway project was approved two years ago, and involves an extensive reconfiguration of the area outside the station.
The plans include the removal of Queen Street bridge, the creation of a new road layout in its place, and a new transport interchange.
The current application for the portico can be seen on the City of York Council website.