Wakefield Kirkgate redevelopment

[johntea]

Hoping anti-pacer can advise on this!

Just spent the evening having a few beverages in Wakefield with a couple of old work colleagues, headed off from Spoons to Kirkgate pushing it a bit only to find they seem to have demolished or certainly barriered the existing subway / roundabout / shortcut through to Kirkgate station!

To add to my woes the Leeds train moved from P1 to P2, I just about made it!

What are they up to in terms of rebuilding stuff?

 

[yorksrob]

Hoping anti-pacer can advise on this!

Just spent the evening having a few beverages in Wakefield with a couple of old work colleagues, headed off from Spoons to Kirkgate pushing it a bit only to find they seem to have demolished or certainly barriered the existing subway / roundabout / shortcut through to Kirkgate station!

To add to my woes the Leeds train moved from P1 to P2, I just about made it!

What are they up to in terms of rebuilding stuff?

In the old days, there wouldn't have been anything to tell you that the train had moved from P1 to P2, so things have improved a bit.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

In the old days, there wouldn't have been anything to tell you that the train had moved from P1 to P2, so things have improved a bit.

Though there'd still be a method of crossing other than the (formerly freight/parcels) subway. If that subway had been dispensed with, a much more central and welcoming footbridge could've been provided instead- AIUI there was a passenger footbridge back in the day. However as it was a goods subway it is step-free, so quite useful but for the hike you have to go on if there's a last-minute change!

If the subway wasn't there, the rebuilding would've cost a fair bit more what with having to install a footbridge with lifts or ramps!

 

[43021HST]

First time I'd seen Wakefield since the refurbishment, I'd still say it's a rather unwelcoming station, it's tidy but very spartan, especially the island platform.

Could do with some decent canopies and maybe a coffee kiosk as the island platform can get very windswept, the station overall has a bit of an unfinished feel to it.

 

[55z]

It is a vast improvement on what Kirkgate station was. It even has canopies , new ones as well on platform 1. Wakefield Council has a number of ideas for improvement of the environs around Kirkgate station. One of which is to fill the hole / subway on Kirkgate road and improve the road traffic flow by installing traffic lights. There is a traffic light controlled pedestrian crossing further down Kirkgate road which is much better than the subways. The buffet (not coffee shack) on platform 1 is good and staff are friendly and helpful but closes around 1800. There are far worse stations than Kirkgate.

 

[yorksrob]

Though there'd still be a method of crossing other than the (formerly freight/parcels) subway. If that subway had been dispensed with, a much more central and welcoming footbridge could've been provided instead- AIUI there was a passenger footbridge back in the day. However as it was a goods subway it is step-free, so quite useful but for the hike you have to go on if there's a last-minute change!

If the subway wasn't there, the rebuilding would've cost a fair bit more what with having to install a footbridge with lifts or ramps!

I was only thinking of two or three years ago before the public information screens were installed, although you may be correct further back in time.


Incidentally, I'm pretty sure I read of plans to replace the subway with a footbridge during the rebuild, although this may have been cut back due to costs.

 

[Iskra]

Does anyone know what is happening with the out of use surplus platform length that is being dug up? Is it being brought back into passenger use?