York Station: Parts of major York regeneration scheme set to open this week

Parts of a major York regeneration scheme are due to open next week, but a section will remain closed.

People will be able to use most of the pavements and cycle lanes outside York Station from Monday, September 28.

A stretch of the cycle lane in front of the station’s portico is set to be completed once works to move an electricity substation are finished in the coming months.

Coun Kate Ravilious, York Council’s Labour transport spokesperson, said the opening of most of the routes on Monday was a fantastic milestone for the project.

The opening of routes on Monday comes after the painting of road markings and the installation of street lights.

It comes as part of the scheme to regenerate the area at the front of York Station which has been dogged by delays since it began in 2023.

Works were originally set to be completed in May last year.

The bill for the project stood at £60.1m as of July, £34m more than its original budget.

The council’s ruling Labour and opposition Liberal Democrat groups have both blamed each other for the handling of the project after an independent audit found ‘critical’ management weaknesses.

Monday’s route openings also follow a row over the permanent layout of one of the cycle routes not being finalised until 2028.

Temporary planters were placed on the cycle lane which runs in front of the portico pending works from station operator London North Eastern Railway (LNER).

Cyclists travelling from Blossom Street to Station Rise will need to rejoin the road between the Railway Institute Building and the portico until the works are finished.

All cycle routes on the side of the road by York’s walls will be open.

Council city development lead Garry Taylor said the planters were designed to provide clear and safe arrangements while works on a nearby electricity substation are done.

The substation is set to be switched off and demolished in the coming months, allowing a continuous cycle route to open.

The official added a temporary cycle route would remain in place ahead of LNER works which will determine the area’s final layout and are expected to finish in 2028.

Opposition Liberal Democrat Coun Andrew Waller said still having to rely on temporary arrangements years after the project began was “embarrassing”.

Mr Taylor said completing the work remains a priority and officials wanted residents and visitors to enjoy the benefits as soon as possible.

Labour transport executive member Coun Ravilious said the new routes would improve the way people travel to work, the station and move around the city.

The executive member said: “It has been great in recent weeks to see more and more people benefitting from the changes around the station with new public spaces, better views of the city walls and more places for people to stop and spend time.

“It’s great that we can now open these routes and help more people choose cycling for everyday journeys.”