MAJOR plans have been drawn up to dramatically overhaul the entrance to York station, demolishing a redundant road bridge and reconfiguring entrances and exits to the station.

Queen Street bridge will be torn down, the taxi rank and car parking reorganised, a new “Station Square” created and Tea Room square pedestrianised.

At the same time, plans show that currently hidden parts of the City Walls could be revealed and the area around York Railway Institute’s (RI) will be improved - although the RI stands to lose its band room.

The proposals have been revealed as City of York Council starts a public consultation asking for people's views over the next four weeks.

Cllr Peter Dew, York’s executive member for transport, said it was a chance to improve the current “far from ideal” situation. “Travelling to and from the station is a far from ideal experience, whichever mode of transport you use,” he said. “We now have a fantastic opportunity to make it much easier to use, especially with the station set for a three-fold increase in passenger numbers over the next 30 years.”

The proposals build on what people have said in previous consultations, he added, and would link up with plans for York Central, and the improved pedestrian and cycle route over Scarborough Bridge.

The council has revealed it is working with Network Rail, the Intercity East Coast Mainline franchise and engineering and design consultancy Arup to develop this master plan, and is getting ready to make a planning application for the first phase of works.

Deputy council leader Cllr Andrew Waller said residents and visitors “deserve a much better gateway to the city” than the current congestion.

“Transforming the area in front of railway station is integral to making it fit for the 21st century, and much more in tune with sustainable ways of getting around,” he added.

“It plays a vital role connecting the station to the city centre, and surrounding communities to one of Europe’s largest city-centre sustainable developments York Central.”

Many of the proposals, including Queen Street bridge’s demolition, have already been mooted through plans York Central plans - the redevelopment of 45 hectares of former railway land. That project could also bring a revamp for the other entrance to the station with new parking and drop-off areas.

York railway station was the largest in the world when it opened in 1877. A council spokesman said the new plans should make sure it “reflects both York’s stunning heritage and its bright future”.

Queen Street Bridge - set for demolition - has been redundant since the 1960s when trains stopped using lines under the city walls to the old railway station - now City of York Council’s West Offices.

The West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund and the Leeds City Region Growth Deal will fund the new project, said the spokesman.

The consultation runs until Monday, July 9. Details are at york.gov.uk/stationfront and in displays next to Platforms 1 and 3, and in West Offices.

There will also be opportunities to discuss the proposals with the project team, and a walking heritage tour of the station organised by York Civic Trust - book via yorkstationtour.eventbrite.co.uk.