The case for a new railway station at Haxby – have your say

The ambition for a station at Haxby has been held for many years and as part of the Council’s corporate plan, ‘Making History, Building Communities’, the council wants to gather feedback from the local community in a bid to the Department for Transport’s New Station Fund 3, announced earlier this year.

The application from the council must be completed by 5 June 2020 and an announcement on successful bids is planned for the Autumn. Due to the short timeframe and the current level of Coronavirus lockdown, the initial consultation will be carried out online at this stage.

A new station at Haxby would increase connectivity to the semi-rural community north of York, providing faster, more efficient sustainable transport links from Haxby into York, Leeds, Manchester and beyond, as well as linking this area with Malton and Scarborough.

The council is taking the opportunity to gauge public opinion on the principle of a station at Haxby. The survey also asks for a response to a potential location – the site of the old railway station off Station Road – which is being used for bidding purposes at this stage.

The council is continuing to assess this location and other options, and will carry out the fullest possible public consultation over the design and location of the station if the bid is successful.  Residents and businesses can share their views online before Tuesday 26 May 2020 at https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HaxbyRailway

Cllr Keith Aspden, Leader of City of York Council, commented: “I am pleased that, despite the challenges of the current crisis, we are making progress on our ambition to deliver a new rail station in Haxby and improve sustainable transport infrastructure in the city, having already invested £50K to develop the outline business case for the new station.

“It is incredibly important that any bid to the Department for Transport must include the views and thoughts of the local community, and that is why we are launching this online consultation.

“Of course, we are at a very early stage in our work to secure a new rail station in Haxby and much of this is subject to Government approval.  Nonetheless, we will continue to do what we can to progress the scheme and improve transport infrastructure in the city.”

Deputy leader of the council and executive member for transport, Cllr Andy D’Agorne, said: “A new station at Haxby has been an ambition for many years as it would greatly increase transport connectivity from the north of the city whilst reducing traffic on a key arterial route.

“We are looking for a quick response from local residents in order to meet the government deadline for the funding bid, which could bring this vital investment a step nearer with more detailed consultation.

“While there will be a short-term reduction in the use of public transport, quality train and bus services are vital to a cleaner, greener and inclusive future for York.

“So while it might be hard to visualise at the moment, we’re asking you to imagine what difference the station could make once we’re free from the threat of coronavirus and give us your views.”

The Business Case for the new station is currently being developed. If the bid is successful, it will be further developed by the council, with guidance from the DfT and Network Rail.  It will then be taken through the rail industry processes –  and the usual planning process – for delivery.

People can share their views online until 26 May 2020   https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/HaxbyRailway