Consultant appointed to station makeover project

The Leeds office of the company will set out a strategic programme to deliver the existing masterplan for the Halifax Station Gateway and improve connectivity for the town centre which is currently undergoing a multi-million-pound transformation.

WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff will conduct a feasibility design and business case appraisal for the remodelling and regeneration of the station and surrounding public realm.

Its services will include transport planning, structures, rail, environment, landscape design and architecture, working with design architects BDP and C Spencer. The study will be supported by the Halifax Station Gateway Steering Group, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Network Rail.

As well as improved station facilities, the study also will identify upgrades to road and pedestrian routes from the station through to the town centre. This will include improved links to the new cultural quarter which includes Eureka! The National Children’s Museum and the transformation of the historic Piece Hall, the extension of Square Chapel Centre for the Arts and a new purpose-built central library.

Project director Adrian Kemp, at WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff, said: “We are able to draw on UK-wide expertise having worked on major station masterplans in York, London Bridge, Manchester, Newcastle and Stockport – which we also delivered in partnership with BDP.

“This, combined with our teams’ wealth of local knowledge, puts us in a great position to create an exceptional station for the town, and a distinctive gateway to Halifax and Calderdale.

“Our breadth of expertise across multiple disciplines will enable the team to unlock the economic benefits of investing in a better-connected, improved station.”

The final feasibility report is expected to be submitted to Calderdale Council in October 2017.