More than £14m has been secured to transform the front of York station.
The money from the Transforming Cities Fun will pay to improve the station and make it fit for purpose as a 21st century transport hub and gateway to the city.
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’
- revealing hidden parts of the City Wall, the station and York Railway Institute’s buildings to offer a better setting for the city’s heritage
- improved pedestrian and cycle routes, connecting to the new pedestrian and cycle path over Scarborough Bridge.
It will also pay for a range of improvements to bus, cycle and pedestrian routes, in order to better connect communities to the station.
The news comes in the same week as the city secured £77m towards its linked plans to transform the York Central site, behind the station.
‘A good week for York’
Leader of the council Keith Aspden said:
It has been a good week for York and I am pleased that we have secured this funding to deliver the ambitious York Station programme.
This administration has committed to better connecting our communities and with this funding, we will create new sustainable transport routes to the station.
Combined with the excellent news on our York Central application, we will continue to push for greater investment in our region and create a fitting gateway to the city.
Deputy leader and executive member for transport Cllr Andy D’Agorne 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 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 closely with Network Rail, London North Eastern Railway and Northern Powerhouse to deliver the proposals. Different landowners and funding arrangements mean that plans for the area will be delivered in phases.