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'Final push' on train station access scheme

Andrew BartonYorkshire
City of York Council A computer-generated visualisation of the redesigned road layout outside York railway station. In the foreground a wide multi-lane road runs through the scene with marked lanes for buses, cars and cycles. Several vehicles are visible, including a white double-decker bus, cars, and a larger bus or coach. The road markings are bright with dashed white lines and dedicated bus areas. On both sides of the road, there are broad pavements lined with evenly spaced trees. Bus stops with shelters are also visible along the roadside.City of York Council
The York Gateway scheme will improve access to the city's railway station, according to the council

Contractors have begun a "final push" towards completing multi-million pound highway works at the front of York Station.

The final phase of the scheme is set to begin on 1 June, and includes four weeks of planned overnight closures that month, City of York Council said.

Once completed it is set to deliver a new permanent road layout, including continuous cycle lanes and footways, upgraded bus stops and new public spaces.

Andy Shrimpton, co-owner of Cycle Heaven next to the station, said the work had been "messy and very dirty" and had made it hard to "service customers and for staff to function". No date has been set for completion of the work.

However, Shrimpton - whose business is ultimately due to be relocated as part of the plan - said the work so far had created a "once in a generation change".

He said it had seen the removal of an "enormous carbuncle of a bridge" which now meant people's first view on leaving the station was now "beautiful arches in the city wall", exposed by the removal of the Queen Street bridge.

Meanwhile, Darren Avey, director of York Station Taxis, said: "It has been horrendous, the work has been delayed by about 20 months, but we are seeing the end now and it's been a fantastic project when you compare before and after."

Chloe Laversuch/BBC The image shows a construction site centred around a large elevated concrete bridge in the process of being dismantled. In the foreground, there is a fenced-off working area made up of metal mesh barriers. Inside a secured zone are construction materials including a large curved, translucent shelter. In the middle ground there is an elevated concrete structure supported by thick pillars. Sitting on top of this structure is a large orange excavator.Chloe Laversuch/BBC
Work near the station has included the removal of Queen Street Bridge

The regeneration of the area at the front of York Station began in 2023, and originally had a budget of around £26m. In March an audit found the scheme was £28.5m over budget.

The final phase of work will focus on finalising the new road layout and ensuring all walking, cycling and bus infrastructure is in place, before the highways phase of the project is completed.

City of York Council said four phases of night-time closures would take place between 20:00 and 06:00 BST, from 1 to 26 June, with roads reopening during the day.

"The pain of progression" Two business owners talk about the disruption caused by roadworks outside York Railway Station

Councillor Kate Ravilious, the council's executive member for transport, said the completed final stages would see "fantastic open spaces for everyone to enjoy, safe walking and cycling routes and an improved road layout".

Works were originally set to finish in May last year, but are now due to be completed this summer.

In a statement the authority said more details about each of the phases of work, including transport information, "would be published in advance of the work starting".

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