Upcoming Works as Progress Continues on Project to Transform Area near York Station

Anyone who uses York station knows the front entrance can be a bit of a whirlwind. Trying to find your bus, grab a taxi, or just meet a friend can feel like navigating an obstacle course. But big changes are on the way. The City of York Council is deep into a major project to transform the whole area, making it a much friendlier and more welcoming gateway to the city.

Think better public spaces, smarter layouts, and even York's very first pedestrian crossing with a countdown timer. Of course, making an omelette involves breaking a few eggs, and this transformation will mean some disruption over the next few weeks, with a schedule of night works and changes for pedestrians to get their heads around. These improvements are part of a massive effort to create a better transport interchange for everyone.

So, what's the big plan for the station?

This isn't just a case of putting down a few new paving slabs. It's a huge undertaking called the York Station Gateway project, a plan that's been in the works for a while. The goal is to completely revamp the station's frontage. Instead of a confusing muddle of cars, buses, and people, the vision is for a modern, efficient transport hub. This means creating better public spaces where people can actually relax, and making it much simpler to switch between rail and bus services.

A key part of the project is to encourage more people to walk and cycle to the station, which is great for health and the environment. This whole ambitious scheme is a partnership between the City of York Council, Network Rail, LNER, and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. By working together, these organisations are aiming to create a space that not only works better but also provides a beautiful setting for the historic City Walls that stand right next to the area.

A heads-up on the upcoming works

To get all this done, there’s a fair bit of work scheduled, and it’s good to know what’s happening when, especially if you use the station regularly. The teams will be carrying out a lot of these jobs overnight to minimise the hassle during the day. Here’s a breakdown of the planned disruption.

From Monday 16 February – Friday 20 February:

Expect five nights of night works from 9pm to 6am.

• On the 16th and 17th, the focus will be on installing a new crossing right in front of the station. During these night works, the taxi rank will temporarily move just outside the station. It will be clearly signposted, and the regular taxi rank will operate as normal during the day.

• From the 18th to the 20th, crews will be doing some site investigation on Queen Street. This will mean some lane closures with temporary traffic lights, but the road will reopen fully each morning.

From Monday 23 February – Friday 27 February:

Another week of night works is planned from 9pm to 6am.

• On Monday 23rd, there will be some minor footpath work around Tea Room Square, with a clearly marked diversion for pedestrians.

• From the 24th to the 27th, workers will be installing ducts under the temporary taxi rank. The good news is there will be no lane closures for this part of the project, and access to the York RI and the NCP car park will be maintained.

From Monday 2 March – Friday 6 March:

More night works are needed to install a duct crossing over the main road near the York RI. This will require lane closures on Queen Street with two-way temporary traffic lights. Taxis using the temporary taxi rank will be able to exit as normal.

From Monday 9 March:

For five nights, from 9pm to 6am, more duct installation will take place near the front of the station. This will involve temporary traffic lights, but access will be maintained. A small diversion will be in place for pedestrians during these works.

Changes for people on foot from mid-March

One of the biggest changes for pedestrians will start on Monday 16 March and last for two weeks. The footpath outside The Milner York hotel will be closed around the clock during the working week (Monday to Friday). This closure will run from the hotel down to the junction of Station Rise and Leeman Road. If you're walking from the city, you'll need to cross the road at the traffic lights and use the path on the opposite side, alongside the magnificent City Walls.

You’ll then follow this route to a new temporary crossing point that takes you to the station front. Signs will be up to show everyone where to go, so it should be easy enough to follow. Access to the hotel will still be possible through its main entrance on Tea Room Square. It’s a bit of a detour, but it’s all part of the necessary work to bring long-term improvements to the area.

A word from the council

The City of York Council is aware that all this work will cause some inconvenience. They’re working closely with contractors to keep the disruption to a minimum. The project is a complex one, and they appreciate everyone’s patience while the improvements are carried out.

These latest elements will transform the feel of the area, creating a pedestrian-friendly and welcoming gateway to the city,” said Cllr Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport at City of York Council. “This work will involve some disruption and inconvenience, and we appreciate everyone’s continued patience and cooperation. Our teams and partners are working hard to minimise disruption as much as possible and help guide people through these changes. We will also continue to share updates throughout each stage of the project to help people plan ahead.

Who's behind this massive project?

A project of this scale doesn't just happen; it requires a lot of funding and a solid partnership. The money for these big improvements comes from several key sources, including the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund and the West Yorkshire-Plus Transport Fund. Both of these are managed by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, an organisation that works with local authorities across the region to boost the economy and improve life for residents. The Department for Transport has also provided significant funding.

The Transforming Cities Fund, in particular, is all about making it easier and more appealing for people to travel by bus, rail, bike, or on foot. The aim is to reduce car journeys, which helps cut congestion and improve air quality. This York Station Gateway project is a perfect example of that fund in action, creating a better transport interchange and nicer public spaces for everyone. Better bus services are also part of the wider vision, thanks to funding from York's Bus Service Improvement Plan, ensuring that the entire public transport network benefits from these changes. So, while the short-term lane closures and diversions might be a pain, the long-term result will be a smarter, greener, and more welcoming front door for York.