A new bus interchange, taxi rank and cycle lanes outside York Station could be compromised unless an electricity substation is moved before costs go up, according to a council document.
A City of York Council decision record stated the substation had to be moved from in front of the station’s South Train Shed so the improvements can go ahead as planned.
The report stated the existing substation was also too far away and lacked capacity to power the multi-storey car park Network Rail is set to begin work on in March.
The cost of moving and upgrading the substation is now set to total around £1.25m, up from an estimated £350,000 when contracts for the works were tendered.
It comes as the wider scheme is among those under review as costs have climbed in the years since budgets for them were drawn up.
The project aims to improve the area around the front of York Station, including with road upgrades and new public spaces.
The cost of the substation relocation has gone up partly due to cabling having to be re-routed.
The changes, coupled with the need to increase power capacity for the new car park and to future-proof the station, have pushed costs up.
‘Significantly compromised’
The council’s report stated the immediate consequences of not moving the substation would be only having space for three new bus stops on the station side of the road.
Off-road two-way cycle lanes would not be able to go ahead and space would be taken from the station’s relocated taxi rank.
The report added knock-on effects from the changes would include affecting moving existing bus stops, preventing completion of the Station Square, Tea Room Square and Portico public spaces.
The sub-station needs to be relocated urgently to avoid racking up any further costs, as well as delaying other elements of the project, according to the document.
Costs related to the substation have totalled around £362,000 so far.
The report stated: ”If the substation is not relocated, the proposed new bus interchange, taxi rank and drop-off and cycle lanes will be significantly compromised.
“The substation delivery is now on the critical path as the existing substation removal is required to allow the current phase of the works to be completed.
“Phase Two is now in a position that to achieve earliest completion and minimize further delays, the need to instruct contractors Sisk and Freedom Ltd is at a point of urgency,”
Council finance officers have confirmed that funding is available to complete the substation works.
It comes as a separate report stated there was a £7m funding gap forecast for the second phase of the wider Station Gateway scheme.
Council economy lead Cllr Pete Kilbane said in January the project was among those under review and new funds would be needed to finish it.
Senior councillors have said works already underway on the project, which are due to be finished in the spring, will be completed.
The council’s Budget proposals for 2025-6 include diverting £5m to Station Gateway from the York Outer Ring Road scheme, with developer funds due to be available for the latter.