Wakefield Westgate's new railway station has been officially opened by the Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin.

Completion of the £8.6M upgrade forms part of a series of station modernisation projects under way along the East Coast route including those at Newcastle and Edinburgh Waverley.

Wakefield Westgate's new station has been designed to provide a new 'gateway' to the city and includes a new travel centre, footbridge and lifts to platforms. The station also offers improved integration with buses and taxis.

“Strong transport links are vital to ensuring that communities and local economies can thrive," Mr McLoughlin said.

Wakefield Council Leader Peter Box added: “This is a stunning new gateway to Wakefield and an integral element of a massive regeneration programme that has transformed this area of the city.

“The £8M investment in Wakefield makes us home to the first newly constructed station building on the East Coast mainline in decades."
Network Rail route managing director Phil Verster said: “Our stations can help to attract investment and regeneration to the cities they serve. I look forward to that being the case in Wakefield.”

Further north on the East Coast route at Newcastle, work is nearing completion to turn a Grade I listed portico outside the station – previously used as a taxi pick up and drop off point – into a new entrance hall for passengers. Details about the refurbishment are included in Transportation Professional's February issue, published next week.

Photo: East Coast

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