Council moves funds to keep station plans on track

More than £18m of funding will be diverted from major projects in York to help pay for work to revamp the front of the city's railway station.

Councillors agreed to move money away from the scheme to dual more of York's outer ring road and the former Castle Mills car park redevelopment, in order to complete work at the station, which is already under way.

Senior councillors agreed to "phase" work on the outer ring road.

Katie Lomas, executive member for finance, said: "The station gateway project was at risk, but we have made sure we can deliver all the benefits of the scheme, making sure transport to, from and across the city can work for everyone."

Lomas said: "It is not just about trains. This is an integrated transport scheme.

"We are making the gateway to our city a great place to use, however you use it."

The original budget for the project to revamp the front of the railway station was £32.4m, but the council said it had seen cost rises including inflation in building materials and energy prices.

When completed, the scheme will see the area around the station opened up, with a new square, bus stops and cycle lanes and more space for pedestrians and taxis.

Pete Kilbane, the Labour-run council's deputy leader, said the station was "the city's shop front – it is hugely important for our city".

However, Liberal Democrat group leader Nigel Ayre said: "The York Outer Ring Road is vital for the city.

"We made the case that phasing the scheme is death by a thousand cuts and should be avoided at all costs.

"The failure to get on with the ring road scheme has led to huge cost over-runs."

The original budget for the Outer Ring Road was £67.4m, but in May the council admitted the costs had risen and there was now a £110m funding shortfall for the work.

The authority said inflation, increased utility costs and the need for new bridges and underpasses were among the reasons for the steep budget increase.

Senior councillors agreed at a meeting on Tuesday to commit £27m of the existing budget to begin the phased work with the building of a bigger roundabout at Clifton Moor.

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