Contractor appointed as York Station Gateway project progress continues

City of York Council has appointed John Sisk & Son to deliver the transformative York Station Gateway project, following a successful, competitive procurement process.

The £25.73m project is to be delivered in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, London North Eastern Railway (LNER) and Network Rail. 

John Sisk & Son has been awarded a contract for the £7.8m York Station Gateway highway works, including the removal of Queen Street bridge, realignment of Queen Street, creation of Station Square and improvements to the cycle and pedestrian routes.

Project partner LNER will go out to tender for the remaining station works phase of the project later this year.

The York Station Gateway project aims to:

• improve access to the station, by providing an easier and safer experience for people walking, cycling and using the bus, as well as new spaces for taxi drivers
• introduce welcoming new public spaces for everybody to enjoy, including Station Square
• showcase the city’s heritage sites at their very best by creating an improved setting for the City Walls and other heritage buildings in the area, as well as improving the walking and cycling routes underneath the City Walls.

Over the past year utilities companies have been carrying out enabling works around Queen Street Bridge ahead of the main works starting later this year. These enabling works are now complete and John Sisk & Son will begin their pre-construction activities with the aim of starting work on site in the coming weeks.

Councillor Pete Kilbane, Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Transport and Economy at City of York Council, said:

“Today’s announcement is a milestone for this transformative project which will create a fitting gateway for our beautiful and historic city.

“York Railway station has welcomed visitors and business to our city since 1877 and this project is among the most significant of many changes since then. As well as the transport improvements and welcoming, world-class public spaces, York will see major economic and social benefits, alongside the development of York Central.

“There are still some issues to be resolved, most notably around Blue Badge parking, but I am hugely grateful to everyone involved in the project who has helped us get to this point. We will be doing the work with our partners, as well as our new contractor, and continue to engage with local residents to try and minimise disruption.”

Andrew Langley, Major Projects Director UK Civil Engineering for John Sisk and Sons, said:

“We are really excited to be continuing our involvement in delivering key infrastructure projects in the City of York. It is fantastic to be involved in this transformative scheme, opening up the area around the station to help create a new gateway to the city. We will engage closely with the travelling public, business owners and residents of York to minimise disruption, and continue our engagement with local schools, employment providers, and community projects in York.”

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, said:

“This scheme is a good example of how we are working in partnership with others to make it easier for people to travel between York and West Yorkshire.

“It is more important than ever to invest in a modern, accessible transport network that supports economic growth by connecting more people with jobs, training and education.”

Paul Rutter, Route Director for Network Rail’s East Coast route, said: 

“This is a positive step forward on this key scheme, which will create an improved transport interchange and make the area around York railway station more welcoming.

“We’ll continue to work closely with our industry partners on this project, and we look forward to passengers reaping the benefits once the scheme completes.”

David Horne, Managing Director at LNER, said:

“We’re delighted to be working in partnership with colleagues at City of York Council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Network Rail to deliver this key scheme to make York Station even more welcoming.

“This project will significantly improve access to the station for everyone and create a much-improved gateway for visitors to the beautiful and historic city.”

Find out more about York Station Gateway at www.york.gov.uk/StationGateway