‘Great news for city’ hailed as rail travellers set to get £6.6m new station

The £6.6m project will see facilities including a travel centre, shops, First Class lounge, customer reception and information screens provided.

The new station will be built adjacent to a multi-storey car park and provide better access for vehicles, pedestrians and bicycles directly off the inner ring road and local bus routes.

Tim Hedley-Jones, stations and property director for East Coast, said: “Wakefield Westgate is one of East Coast’s key stations and this scheme will complement the new 900-space multi-storey car park and re-furbished customer facilities, which are currently underway on platform 2.”

Phil Verster, route managing director for Network Rail, said: “Whilst the old station is undoubtedly a striking building, passengers at Westgate will be well aware that it is no longer fit for purpose. By moving passenger facilities to a new purpose-built building we can improve the journey experience in a sensible, cost-efficient way.”

Work is scheduled to start on site at the end of 2012.

Coun Peter Box, Leader of Wakefield Council, said: “It is great news for Wakefield.”