CONSTRUCTION contractor G F Tomlinson has started work on a landmark £4.6 million project to transform an historic railway station.
Work on the scheme is being carried out at Kirkland Railway Station in Wakefield on behalf of regeneration charity, Groundwork.
The project will include restoring the Grade II listed building to its former glory as well as creating space for a café, ticketing and retail areas and office space. There will also be meeting rooms for the community to use as well as units for small businesses.
Stuart Lawrence, managing director at G F Tomlinson Building Ltd, said: "This is a high profile project, restoring a landmark of historical importance.
"We have considerable experience and expertise in delivering projects which have involved work on Grade II Listed Buildings.
"Through the next 12 months work will be carried out to transform the site. At the same time, we will be working to ensure minimal disruption so the station can continue to operate while work on the scheme is carried out," Stuart added.
Ken Taylor, executive director of Groundwork, said: “I am delighted to be working with G F Tomlinson Building Ltd on the redevelopment of the station building.
“Competition to be the contractor for this prestigious project was high and they ticked all the boxes. Now that G F Tomlinson is on site we are looking at how skills and training for local people can be provided”
Over the last year regeneration charity Groundwork has undertaken a huge fundraising exercise in order to be able to transform the station with the support of its key partners.
These partners have now agreed to fund the scheme and include: Network Rail; Wakefield Council; Metro; Railway Heritage Trust; Grand Central Rail; Northern Rail; Groundwork Wakefield; Garfield Weston Foundation; Headley Trust and Eggborough Power Station.
Additional funding has been secured from the Station Commercial Project Facility and National Stations Improvement Programme, which are administered by Network Rail. Funding from the European Union has been secured as a part of their programme to ‘Invest in your Future’, to complete the funding package.
For information on the progress of the project, visit Groundwork’s website: www.groundwork.org.uk/wakefield or email: wakefield@groundwork.org.uk
