New station entrance and public square on cards for York

A new public square between the station and the National Railway Museum is also being suggested by the York Central Partnership, while through traffic may eventually be diverted from Leeman Road and through the York Central site.

The Partnership’s aspirations were revealed as it prepared to launch a major public consultation this week into three possible access roads into the teardrop-shaped site behind York Railway Station, where up to 1,500 new homes and 100,000 square metres of commercial space are planned.

A spokesman said access to York Central - to better connect the site to surrounding communities and the city centre - was a key guiding principle for the developing masterplan which would go out to consultation later in the year.

“To deliver maximum benefits for residents and visitors, York Central Partnership is looking at how this can be best done to promote sustainable transport such as walking, cycling, the use of public transport, including trains, and to provide good vehicular access,” he said.

“Given the proximity to York station, one of the key aspirations is to deliver a new western entrance to the station to provide a high-quality and welcoming environment that is appropriate for a city of York’s standing.

“This would also lead on to a new public square in front of the National Railway Museum, enabling it to continue to grow as a museum and attraction of national importance.”

He said the museum had its own masterplan, which was still in the development stage and was subject to funding and approval, with plans and visuals expected in October.

“Critical to progressing York Central is to decide on how best to create vehicle access to the site and the partnership is launching a consultation this week to hear the views of city residents on the three available access options,” he said.

“We particularly want to hear what they feel the impacts the different options might have on local communities, as these include a southern option linking in to Holgate Road and two western options linking to Water End.”He said all three would feature the eventual diversion of the current Leeman Road route.

He added that all residents were being invited to attend one of four consultation events taking place over the next fortnight, or go to www.yorkcentral.info from Wednesday afternoon.

The first of the exhibitions, organised by the partnership of Network Rail, the Homes and Communities Agency, the museum and City of York Council, will take place at St Barnabas Church in Jubilee Terrace, Leeman Road, between 2pm and 5pm on Wednesday. The second is at St Paul’s Church in Holgate Road, between 4pm and 8pm on Wednesday, August 30.