Monday 16 Jan 2012
RAIL FUNDING TO SUPPORT REGENERATION OF WAKEFIELD KIRKGATE CONFIRMED
- Region & Route:
The transformation of Wakefield Kirkgate station is a significant step closer after Network Rail successfully secured more than £1.5m of new industry funding.
Ambitious plans to transform the listed station building have been drawn up by Groundwork Wakefield with support from Network Rail, Northern Rail, West Yorkshire PTE (Metro), Wakefield council and Railway Heritage Trust. It is this scheme which has been awarded £1.039m from the Station Commercial Project Facility fund (SCPF). This funding has been supplemented by £0.5m directly from Network Rail.
Phil Verster, route managing director at Network Rail, said: “This is excellent news for Wakefield. Kirkgate is a station in need of improvement and we have already completed improvements to CCTV, subway and entrance lobby with more work scheduled this year on the canopies and to remove the spine wall.
“However the listed station buildings have been empty for many years and are in need of attention. Today’s funding announcement is the result of many months hard work by the rail partners to find a solution which benefits both passengers and the community. We will continue to work with all of the partners to support the scheme.”
Speaking about the SCPF, rail minister Norman Baker MP added: “The work at Kirkgate is much overdue and I’m pleased that the rail industry has come together and made this project a reality. Better and more attractive stations are vital if we are to encourage more people to travel by rail and I’m sure this will be warmly welcomed by local people.”
Ken Taylor, executive director for Groundwork Wakefield, said: "The funding confirmation is excellent news for all those involved so far in the redevelopment of the Station. Groundwork, along with partners, is committed to bringing the station back to its former glory and it will be a catalyst for the regeneration of the entire Kirkgate area.”
"Not only will the redevelopment provide a safe and welcoming gateway to the city, it will provide facilities for local communities, enterprises to grow in and foster a sense of community pride into the area."
Drew Haley, client and stakeholder manager for Northern Rail, comments: “The confirmation of this latest funding is fantastic news for our customers through Wakefield Kirkgate, and is a great example of a successful partnership between all those involved in the regeneration of this station.”
"Metro welcomes this funding, complementing the £250,000 we have committed to the scheme," added Metro chairman Cllr James Lewis. "We are working with Wakefield Council to make the station and surrounding environment much better for passengers as it becomes a more important gateway to the City Centre and the Hepworth Gallery."
Notes to editors
Applications for consent to remove the redundant spine wall and replace canopies at the station have already been submitted to the council by Network Rail. If consent is secured that work will begin in February and complete by May 2012. This work is worth £1.5m and is being funded by Network Rail renewals with a contribution from the Railway Heritage Trust.
In 2009 and 2010, Northern Rail, Network Rail and Metro secured improvements to the CCTV system and subway as well as improvements to signage, a new help point and refurbished entrance lobby. The car park was also resurfaced, allowing the free bus to call at the station. This was mainly funded through the National Stations Improvement Programme, a joint rail industry initiative funded primarily by the Department for Transport.
The £100m SCPF is an initiative developed by the Department for Transport in partnership with Network Rail, ATOC, and the Office for Rail Regulation. It is available for capital expenditure projects and is administered and programme managed by Network Rail. East Coast successfully secured funds for a scheme at Wakefield Westgate.
Proposals must provide a financial return over and above project costs and be complete by 31 March 2014. Successful proposals will benefit from a Network Rail sponsor to help secure the necessary consents and support effective delivery.
Application forms and guidance can be downloaded from Network Rail’s website ay www.networkrail.co.uk/SCPF
For further information about the Groundwork Wakefield scheme please contact Lindsey.Hanson@groundwork.org.uk or 01924 307471
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