Funding confirmed for Haxby rail station project

Funding for a new station at Haxby has been confirmed as part of a £10.2bn investment in rail projects across the UK.

The Department for Transport announced it was backing the scheme, a year after chancellor Rachel Reeves had scrapped the £24m project in a bid to save money.

Transport minister Lilian Greenwood told the BBC the move would return rail services to the town for the first time since 1930.

"Reopening that station on the York to Scarborough line will support sustainable, accessible transport to the north of York [meaning] 20,000 people who live within one an a half miles will be able to travel to places like York and Leeds by rail," she said.

Asked how much the government was committing to the scheme and when work would start she said: "I don't know the specifics for Haxby, because I've got 50 road and rail schemes on our books today, but I'm sure we will be able to provide more detail in the months ahead.

"The good news today is that new station at Haxby is going ahead."

A planning application for the station, including a fully accessible footbridge with lifts and steps connecting the two platforms, bike shelters, a 154-space car park, taxi rank and a bus stop, was submitted in 2024.

Claire Douglas, Leader of City of York Council said: "We've been working hard to secure the funding for Haxby Station that will allow this important project to get started.

"We've been working with Network Rail and a range of other partners, the council itself has committed £4m to the project to help make the ambition of the new station a reality."

However, Tony Fisher, Liberal Democrat councillor for Strensall, said while he welcomed the announcement he would "believe the new station when I see it."

"I've been campaigning on this since 1985 and have heard it all before," he said.

"The scheme is shovel ready but they keep withdrawing the funding. Every extra delay costs the project more money."

In addition to the money for Haxby, Greenwood said the government was also committed to funding the dualling of the A1237 York Outer Ring Road.

According to the Department for Transport the work will be carried out between the A19 at Rawcliffe and the A1036 Malton Rd at the Hopgrove junction with the A64.

Greenwood said there needed to be a "discussion" between the council and the government over how much of the £24bn set said for road upgrades it would get.

"The department funds the majority of the scheme but there is a contribution from the local authority and we will be working with them on the final details," she said.

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