Castleford rail station improvement proposals to go on show

Castleford rail station improvement proposals to go on show

5 March 2019

West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Northern, Network Rail and Wakefield Council, are inviting people to see plans to improve Castleford Rail Station.

A high-quality passenger waiting facility with a ticket vending machine, new seating and a disabled toilet, are among the plans to make the station a more attractive and welcoming gateway to Castleford town centre.

Easier access

Proposed changes to the car park layout allow for easier pedestrian, cycle and access and there will be sheltered cycle parking. A significant refurbishment of the subway underpass, including footway resurfacing, plus new wall cladding, lighting and CCTV, will create a better link between the station and residential areas to the south of the town centre.

Significant improvements to the areas around the station and on key walking routes between the railway station, the town centre and the bus station are also planned. These would include new footway treatments, landscaping and signage.

 

Public exhibition

To enable people who live and work in Castleford to find out more about the proposals, a public exhibition is being held, from 8am to 10am and from 3.30pm to 6pm on Monday 11 March at Castleford Bus Station and Castleford Rail Station. Visitors will have a chance to see the plans as well as the opportunity to meet the project team and question them about the scheme.

People can view the plans online through the Combined Authority�s Your Voice consultation portal.

The £3.3 million scheme will be funded by the Combined Authority through the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund, subject to approval. The Fund is supported through the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Deal - a £1 billion package of Government investment delivered in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.

 

Welcoming gateway

Cllr Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee said: "Castleford rail station is used by over half a million passengers each year and this number is forecast to rise as the town's population increases."

"It is important, therefore, that we improve facilities for people using the station as well as providing better links with the town centre and the nearby bus station, which the Combined Authority completely rebuilt in 2016. This is a scheme that can turn Castleford Rail Station into the welcoming gateway the town deserves."

Wakefield Council's portfolio holder for transport, Cllr Matthew Morley said: "I am pleased that the exciting proposals will provide our residents and visitors to Castleford with a much needed modern gateway to the town."

West Yorkshire Combined Authority has already committed over £150 million of West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund investment into schemes across West Yorkshire. Other Wakefield District schemes that have been supported by Fund support are the £33 million Wakefield Eastern Relief Road and the £6 million Wakefield Kirkgate regeneration scheme. Additionally 150 new, free park and ride spaces have been created at South Elmsall and Fitzwilliam rail stations through the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund.

And, work on the £6 million 1.2km Glasshoughton Southern Link Road is scheduled to get underway this month.

Find out more about the Combined Authority's projects and schemes