Agenda item

On Thursday 26 November, the Executive is due to receive a report on the current status of the York Railway Station Gateway project. The Economy and Place Policy and Scrutiny Committee have requested an early oversight of this report being considered by Executive, so that they may keep up to date with developments.[Annexes A, B, C and D to follow]

Committee Members considered a report that would be received by the Executive on Thursday 26 November 2020 regarding York Railway Station Gateway project.   The Executive report requested Members approval of a phased delivery approach and approval for a series of recommendations that allowed the project to progress.

The Corporate Director of Housing, Economy and Place, the    Assistant Director of Transport, Highways and Environment, the Capital Programme Manager and the Executive Member for Transport were all in attendance to present the report and answer any questions.

The Assistant Director highlighted the background to the scheme and confirmed the report was setting out the delivery methodology and sought early funding for the enabling works for the project. He confirmed engagement continued with specific groups, including the Civic Trust and the Bus Forum and that Officers continued to work through the formal planning process to address the details that emerged.

Members noted that this scheme required extensive partnership working between the Council and the rail industry and that the improved bus arrangements had been supported by bus operators.

The Capital Programme Manager gave a summary of the report and highlighted the overall objectives. He confirmed that the Masterplan for the full scheme was first submitted in 2018 and then following public and stakeholder consultation an updated Masterplan was submitted in March 2019.  He addressed the five Packages of work, as indicated in Table 1 in paragraph 21 of the report, and Members noted that the total cost of works was £26.6m, which would be funded through a combination of awards.

The Capital Programme Manager went on to highlight the proposed recommendations to Executive, as indicated in Annex A to the report, and Members questions around funding, the Council’s carbon zero commitment, an integrated transport approach,  cycling provision, car parking, public engagement and the importance of the station and the railway industry were answered.

Members were informed that the York Railway Station Gateway scheme comprised a coordinated, multi-modal package of interventions in and around York Railway Station. The scheme complemented and connected the proposals being progressed to the west and east of the station and would transform the Station Gateway to York. The improvements to sustainable means of transport and public realm infrastructure provided by the scheme would improve both access to public transport in and around the City as well as improving public transport links to the rest of the country, which would lead to economic growth and wealth.

Officers and the Executive Member than answered questions raised by the speakers where it was noted that the proposals did increase bus stop capacity significantly and that the delivery of a multi-storey car park would be led, funded and delivered by Network Rail. Officers confirmed they would continue to negotiate with stakeholders to deliver a project that best supported the Council Plan.

The Chair thanked Officers for their report and update.

Resolved:  That the Executive report and its annexes be noted.

Reason: In order to be updated on the progress of the proposals for the station frontage.