The new travel routes that will run through the York Central development, providing safer and greener routes into the City will open on 8 July 2025.
The new travel routes will replace a section of Leeman Road, running from Salisbury Road to ‘Marble Arch’, providing a new road plus dedicated wider pedestrian and cycle paths, making journeys not only safer but also more pleasant. The numbers 10L, 19 and 59 buses will run along the new road, and there are bus stops along the route. One of the highlights is Hudson Boulevard: a dedicated walking and cycling route with high quality materials, benches and a spectacular rain garden planted down the middle.
Leon Guyett, Project Director on behalf of Homes England and Network Rail, says:
“The opening of the new road, walking and cycling routes is a huge step forward for the project, providing safer and more attractive journeys into the city centre for pedestrians, cyclists, bus users and drivers.”
“The route will not only provide modern sustainable transport infrastructure but will also assist in unlocking York Central for new homes, public realm and commercial space.”
Cllr Kate Ravilious, Executive Member for Transport at City of York Council commented:
“This is a significant milestone for the York Central project. These new travel routes help to unlock the York Central site which will deliver thousands of homes, well-paid jobs and quality public spaces for everyone to enjoy.
“The new routes have safer walking and cycling provision and improved bus and vehicle access. Hudson Boulevard – a dedicated walking and cycling route with beautiful rain gardens and public space along its length – is a particular joy.
“In the long-term the new road will connect directly to Water End, providing opportunity for a direct and fast bus route to the city centre and removing through traffic from Salisbury Terrace and Garfield Terrace, creating an improved environment for those communities. It’s been fantastic to see the recent progress on York Central, which presents a once in a lifetime opportunity for the city, and we look forward to continuing our work with the York Central Partnership to make the most of it.”
The second phase of the road will include building two new bridges over the East Coast mainline to provide a further York Central connection directly to Water End. This means that vehicle traffic will avoid the residential area around Salisbury Terrace, creating a safer and quieter neighbourhood for those residents and providing a greater range of safe and fast sustainable transport options into the city.
Matt Mosley, Regional Director on behalf of Sisk Infrastructure, added:
“Sisk is proud to have led the construction of this key infrastructure for the City of York. The new multiuser network will be the catalyst for expanding the city and providing residential and commercial benefits throughout the region. We have collaborated closely with our client, Homes England, driving best value solutions and significant social value benefits.”
One of the largest city centre brownfield regeneration sites in England, York Central has unprecedented support from central, regional and local government, with £155m already committed to building key infrastructure. Work began in Summer 2022 on £100 million of new infrastructure which ultimately will include over two kilometres of new roads, including dedicated bus lanes and public footpaths and cycle ways, as well as new utilities.
In 2024 McLaren Property and Arlington Real Estate were appointed as developer to deliver up to 2,500 homes, at least 20% of which will be affordable, 1 million sq. ft. of office, retail and leisure space, a brand-new accessible western railway station entrance and extensive parkland and public realm; all designed to provide a significant boost for the local economy with potential to create more than 6,500 jobs.
The project will also enable the construction of the National Railway Museum’s new Central Hall welcome building, establishing the museum as the cultural heart of the York Central development.
For information on the York Central Partnership, visit www.yorkcentral.info. Alternatively, you can visit the developer’s website at www.yorkcentral.uk.