£1.5m boost for railway station revamp scheme

The money will pay for the removal of a platform wall and new canopies ahead of a major project which could see the Grade II listed station building transformed into office space, enterprise units, passenger facilities, meeting rooms and a cafe.

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.”

Planning applications for consent to remove the redundant wall and replace canopies at the station have already been submitted to the council by Network Rail. If consent is secured work will begin in February and be complete by May.

The work is being funded by Network Rail and the Railway Heritage Trust.