Car park repairs that will mean the return of Wakefield FreeCityBus to the city’s Kirkgate station, get underway this week.

Today contractors are moving in to start on the three-week project, which will include resurfacing the area, laying out revised parking bays and creating a new turning circle for the bus.

Once the £30k refurbishment is complete, the popular free service will return to the station calling every 10 minutes throughout the day.

“This is just the first stage in making the station more accessible and more attractive,” said Metro Chairman Cllr Ryk Downes.

“While general levels at Kirkgate are low, there have been two high-profile incidents and I know that local people want to see further action taken on improving the station," he continued. "We are working closely with our partners to progress the measures contained in the recently announced package of improvements.”

Steve Butcher, Area Director, Northern Rail said: “The return of the FreeCityBus, giving an integrated public transport solution direct to the city centre, is just the first of a number of improvements to be delivered for passengers using Kirkgate station.

“With our partners Metro and Network Rail we’ve been working on range of proposals and the next stage of the project includes improvements to CCTV, the subway and entrance hall.”

Find out more about the Wakefield FreeCityBus

Proposed improvements

Proposals for Wakefield Kirkgate Station have been drawn up by a steering group, comprising Metro, Network Rail, Northern Rail, Wakefield Council and the Railway Heritage Trust.

They include enhanced CCTV coverage, the removal of the spine wall and redundant canopies on platform 2, refurbishment of platform 1 canopy. Other planned improvements include refurbishment of the subway and lighting, and refurbishment of the lobby area.

The two-year improvement scheme would be part-funded by Network Rail and the National Station Improvement Programme with contributions from Metro and the Railway Heritage Trust.

As part of its forthcoming bid to the Department for Transport's Access for All programme Metro is also seeking funding for modern customer information screens similar to those installed elsewhere in West Yorkshire earlier this year.

A longer term Vision for Kirkgate which includes a new glazed footbridge with staircases and lifts linking all platforms, which would replace the subway. This enhanced vision also includes a staffed booking office and retail facility, a multi-modal interchange with a car park, taxi and drop off point and cycle storage facility.