New temporary road reopens after work to remove parts of Queen Street Bridge

Following two weekends of intensive work, significant progress has been made on the Station Gateway project which looks to transform the area around York’s historic railway station.

The past two weekends have seen Queen Street Bridge closed to all users. The first weekend saw the completion of a temporary diversion road. The second saw work take place to remove Queen Street Bridge. The works this weekend progressed as planned and the removal of parts of the bridge has created the space needed to continue over the coming weeks, while allowing the temporary road to safely operate.

People will notice that part of the bridge remains in place around Tofts Tower. This area will provide a platform to install a piled retaining wall which will protect the City Walls before further work takes place. This activity will begin this week and will be contained within in the site area without the need for further closures. So far no movement has been recorded in the city walls.

In the coming weeks, Northern Gas Networks will come in to remove some gas apparatus which is on site. As planned, some of the bridge has been left in place to protect this until it is removed. As soon as it is removed this small area will be demolished offline without the need for a further closure. The next planned closure will be to tie in the new road, which is expected to be towards the end of this year.

Images taken over both weekends show the transformation that is starting to take place in the area with work set to continue over the coming weeks and months.

The temporary road is now in place for road users while work continues to create the new and improved highway.  

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

“Thanks again to everyone for their patience and for helping keep the city moving while we get on with the Station Gateway project.

“More progress was made this weekend with work taking place to remove Queen Street Bridge, which hasn’t been needed since the 1960’s. The work this weekend has, as planned, freed up space for contractors to continue to safely remove what’s left of the bridge in the coming weeks, while allowing the temporary road to be open.

“People will notice a real difference in the area and there will be more to come as the project progresses.

“This has been a hugely complex and challenging piece of work and I want to thank everyone who has made it possible, including teams at the council and our partners and contractors. There is still much more work to do on the project but for the next few months this will be done on the construction site with the temporary road in operation.

"This won't be the last time we see work of this kind as we deliver an ambitious programme and a sustainable transport infrastructure in York which is fit for the challenges of the future. But it has been good that we have seen what can be achieved at pace when the city comes together and how the city can keep moving and the city centre stay busy with people finding new and different ways to travel.”

This major project is being delivered in partnership by City of York Council, Network Rail, LNER and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority alongside contractor for the highways works for the project, John Sisk & Son and is part funded by the UK government.

The ambitious project will completely transform the station frontage, providing an improved transport interchange, as well as revamping the public space around the station. The scheme will also create an improved setting for the City Walls and other heritage buildings in the area.

For the latest information on the project visit: www.york.gov.uk/StationGateway.