KC train station plans back on track

Plans for a multi-million pound train station for the KC Stadium have taken a major leap forward as Hull City live their Premier League dream.

Transport consultants Steer Davies Gleave have been appointed to conduct a feasibility study into a "rail halt" between the stadium and Hull Royal Infirmary.

KC's Superstadium Management Company has teamed up with Hull Forward, Hull City Council and East Riding Council to resurrect the proposal, first mooted 10 years ago.

Supporters flocking to the stadium for Hull City and Hull FC matches and music fans attending concerts at the ground would be encouraged to leave their cars at home.

It would also benefit staff and visitors at Hull Royal Infirmary, the maternity hospital and the eye hospital, who make around three million journeys to and from the site each year.

Today, Councillor Dave Woods, portfolio holder for environmental sustainability at Hull City Council, said: "Due to the recent successes at the KC Stadium, expansions on the Hull Royal Infirmary site and future regeneration plans linked to the wider Newington St Andrew's Area Action Plan, now is an ideal time to reconsider the viability of a new halt."

With Hull City chairman Paul Duffen stating he may consider extending the stadium's 25,404 capacity in the future, the rail halt would help ease traffic congestion.

The halt would be created at the junction of the Hull to Bridlington line and the Hull to Doncaster lines, close to the Argyle Street road bridge.

It would be about 300 metres east of the KC Stadium and 150 metres west of the hospital complex.

A footbridge and walkways would connect the halt to Argyle Street and the pedestrian walkway linking the KC to Hull city centre.

First mooted in 1998 when plans for the KC Stadium were unveiled, it was originally suggested a halt with four platforms and associated track work would cost about £3m.

However, the cost is likely to be substantially more, a decade later.

A spokeswoman for Network Rail confirmed a business plan had to be produced before a rail halt would be considered.

The plan, which would be carried out after the feasibility study, would include funding details for the project.