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Wakefield Kirkgate railway station: Difference between revisions

Coordinates: 53°40′44″N 1°29′17″W / 53.679°N 1.488°W / 53.679; -1.488
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23-24 estimated usage stats
 
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{{short description|Railway station in West Yorkshire, England}}
{{Short description|Railway station in West Yorkshire, England}}
{{use British English|date=December 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=December 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2017}}
{{Infobox station
{{Infobox station
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| symbol_location = gb
| symbol_location = gb
| symbol = rail
| symbol = rail
| image = Wakefield Kirkgate railway station.jpg
| image = Kirkgate Station, Wakefield (geograph 5835116).jpg
| caption = Entrance to the railway station viewed from the car park
| caption = Entrance to the railway station in July 2018
| borough = [[Wakefield]], [[City of Wakefield]]
| borough = [[Wakefield]], [[City of Wakefield]]
| country = England
| country = England
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| manager = [[Northern (train operating company)|Northern]]
| manager = [[Northern (train operating company)|Northern]]
| platforms = 3
| platforms = 3
| tracks = 4
| code = WKK
| code = WKK
| zone = 3
| zone = 3
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| events = Station opened
| events = Station opened
| mpassengers =
| mpassengers =
<!--{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2014/15 |passengers={{increase}} 0.527 million}}-->
<!--{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2014/15 |passengers={{increase}} 0.527 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2015/16 |passengers={{increase}} 0.534 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2015/16 |passengers={{increase}} 0.534 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2016/17 |passengers={{increase}} 0.539 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2016/17 |passengers={{increase}} 0.539 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2017/18 |passengers={{decrease}} 0.526 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2017/18 |passengers={{decrease}} 0.526 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2018/19 |passengers={{decrease}} 0.525 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2018/19 |passengers={{decrease}} 0.525 million}}-->
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2019/20 |passengers={{decrease}} 0.511 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2019/20 |passengers={{decrease}} 0.511 million}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2020/21 |passengers={{decrease}} 0.115 million |interchange={{pad|2em}} 37,859}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2021/22 |passengers={{increase}} 0.380 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 88,600}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2022/23 |passengers={{increase}} 0.508 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{decrease}} 82,663}}
{{Rail pass box |pass_year=2023/24 |passengers={{increase}} 0.539 million |interchange={{pad|1em}}{{increase}} 120,984}}
| footnotes = Passenger statistics from the [[Office of Rail and Road]]
| footnotes = Passenger statistics from the [[Office of Rail and Road]]
}}
}}
'''Wakefield Kirkgate railway station''' is a [[railway station]] in [[Wakefield]], [[West Yorkshire]], [[England]]. Unlike the nearby [[Wakefield Westgate railway station]], Kirkgate is unstaffed.<ref name="natrail">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/wkk/details.html#Staffing|title=Station Facilities: Wakefield Kirkgate|publisher=National Rail|access-date=22 August 2009}}</ref> The station is managed by [[Northern (train operating company)|Northern]] but also served by [[Grand Central (train operating company)|Grand Central]]. It is on the [[Hallam Line|Hallam]], [[Pontefract Line|Pontefract]] and [[Huddersfield Line|Huddersfield]] lines. It has a limited number of services to [[London King's Cross railway station|London King's Cross]].
'''Wakefield Kirkgate railway station''' is a [[railway station]] in [[Wakefield]], [[West Yorkshire]], [[England]]. Unlike the nearby [[Wakefield Westgate railway station]], Kirkgate is unstaffed.<ref name="natrail">{{cite web|url=http://www.nationalrail.co.uk/stations/wkk/details.html#Staffing|title=Station Facilities: Wakefield Kirkgate|publisher=National Rail|access-date=22 August 2009}}</ref> The station is managed by [[Northern (train operating company)|Northern]] but also served by [[Grand Central (train operating company)|Grand Central]] and [[TransPennine Express]]. It is on the [[Hallam Line|Hallam]], [[Calder Valley Line|Calder Valley]], [[Pontefract Line|Pontefract]] and [[Huddersfield Line|Huddersfield]] lines. It has a limited number of services to [[London King's Cross railway station|London King's Cross]].


== History ==
== History ==
[[File:Wakefield Kirkgate railway station (6).JPG|thumb|left|Wakefield Kirkgate platform, 2013]]
[[File:Wakefield Kirkgate railway station (6).JPG|thumb|left|Wakefield Kirkgate platform, August 2013]]
The original Kirkgate station opened by the [[Manchester and Leeds Railway]] in 1840 was the only station in Wakefield until [[Wakefield Westgate railway station|Westgate]] was opened in 1867. The railway station building dates from 1854.
The original Kirkgate station opened by the [[Manchester and Leeds Railway]] in 1840 was the only station in Wakefield until [[Wakefield Westgate railway station|Westgate]] was opened in 1867. The railway station building dates from 1854. It is named for the nearby [[Kirkgate (Wakefield)|Kirkgate]] street.


Some demolition work took place in 1972, removing buildings on the island platform and the roof with its original ironwork canopy which covered the whole station. A wall remains as evidence of these buildings. After this, Kirkgate was [[listed building|listed]] in 1979.<ref name="Listed buildings">{{cite web|url=http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/EC7F3485-64A8-4D27-B478-7DB069212F91/0/Listed_buildings_26th_April_2005.pdf|title=List of Listed Buildings, Scheduled Ancient Monuments and Buildings of Local Interest|date=26 April 2005|access-date=22 August 2009|publisher=City of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225002313/http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/EC7F3485-64A8-4D27-B478-7DB069212F91/0/Listed_buildings_26th_April_2005.pdf|archive-date=25 February 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
Some demolition work took place in 1972, removing buildings on the island platform and the roof with its original ironwork canopy which covered the whole station. A wall remains as evidence of these buildings. After this, Kirkgate was [[listed building|listed]] in 1979.<ref name="Listed buildings">{{cite web|url=http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/EC7F3485-64A8-4D27-B478-7DB069212F91/0/Listed_buildings_26th_April_2005.pdf|title=List of Listed Buildings, Scheduled Ancient Monuments and Buildings of Local Interest|date=26 April 2005|access-date=22 August 2009|publisher=City of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090225002313/http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/EC7F3485-64A8-4D27-B478-7DB069212F91/0/Listed_buildings_26th_April_2005.pdf|archive-date=25 February 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref>
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== Refurbishment 2013–15 ==
== Refurbishment 2013–15 ==
Following a campaign supported by the ''[[Wakefield Express]]'' newspaper,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.wakefieldtoday.co.uk/kirkgatestation.htm|title=Kirkgate Station Petition|work=Wakefield Express|access-date=21 April 2009}}</ref> plans to redevelop the station<ref>[http://www.wymetro.com/ProjectsAndPlans/SchemesUnderDevelopment/WakefieldKirkgateStationRedevelopment.htm]{{dead link|date=July 2021}}</ref> were formulated. In July 2011, [[Wakefield Metropolitan District Council|Wakefield Council]] was asked to decide upon a £500,000 grant to the environmental regeneration charity [[Groundwork UK]] as part of its £4 million Kirkgate project in which new life would be breathed into the area.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/news/local/wakefield-news/council_vote_on_kirkgate_1_3566141|title=Council vote on Kirkgate|work=Wakefield Express|date=11 July 2011|access-date=7 June 2013}}</ref> The proposal was approved and funds raised in March 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-21804091|title=Wakefield Kirkgate: £4.6m raised for 'worst' station's upgrade|access-date=7 June 2013|date=18 March 2013|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> The work was carried out in two phases between 2013 and 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pontefractandcastlefordexpress.co.uk/news/kirkgate-station-officially-open-after-multi-million-pound-renovation-1-7460160|title=Kirkgate Station officially open after multi-million pound renovation|work=Pontefract and Castleford Express|access-date=16 December 2016}}</ref>
Following a campaign supported by the ''[[Wakefield Express]]'' newspaper,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www2.wakefieldtoday.co.uk/kirkgatestation.htm|title=Kirkgate Station Petition|work=Wakefield Express|access-date=21 April 2009}}</ref> plans to redevelop the station<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wymetro.com/ProjectsAndPlans/SchemesUnderDevelopment/WakefieldKirkgateStationRedevelopment.htm |title=West Yorkshire Metro &#124; Schemes under development &#124; Wakefield Kirkgate Station Redevelopment |access-date=4 February 2009 |archive-date=7 December 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081207203742/http://www.wymetro.com/ProjectsAndPlans/SchemesUnderDevelopment/WakefieldKirkgateStationRedevelopment.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref> were formulated. In July 2011, [[Wakefield Metropolitan District Council|Wakefield Council]] was asked to decide upon a £500,000 grant to the environmental regeneration charity [[Groundwork UK]] as part of its £4 million Kirkgate project in which new life would be breathed into the area.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/news/local/wakefield-news/council_vote_on_kirkgate_1_3566141|title=Council vote on Kirkgate|work=Wakefield Express|date=11 July 2011|access-date=7 June 2013}}</ref> The proposal was approved and funds raised in March 2013.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-21804091|title=Wakefield Kirkgate: £4.6m raised for 'worst' station's upgrade|access-date=7 June 2013|date=18 March 2013|publisher=BBC News}}</ref> The work was carried out in two phases between 2013 and 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pontefractandcastlefordexpress.co.uk/news/kirkgate-station-officially-open-after-multi-million-pound-renovation-1-7460160|title=Kirkgate Station officially open after multi-million pound renovation|work=Pontefract and Castleford Express|access-date=16 December 2016}}</ref>


Work completed by June 2013 included the following items:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wymetro.com/news/projects/projectdetails/wakefieldkirkgate/|title=Wakefield Kirkgate Rail Station Redevelopment|access-date=7 June 2013}}</ref>
Work completed by June 2013 included the following items:<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wymetro.com/news/projects/projectdetails/wakefieldkirkgate/|title=Wakefield Kirkgate Rail Station Redevelopment|access-date=7 June 2013}}</ref>
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* Installation of electronic information screens on the platforms and entrance hall
* Installation of electronic information screens on the platforms and entrance hall


A second phase of work, completed in September 2015,<ref name =YEP>[http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-stories/wakefield-kirkgate-station-opens-after-5-6m-revamp-1-7460649] {{dead link|date=July 2021}}</ref><ref>[https://www.gov.uk/government/news/transport-minister-opens-wakefield-kirkgate-station]{{dead link|date=July 2021}}</ref> included
A second phase of work, completed in September 2015,<ref name =YEP>{{Cite web |url=http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-stories/wakefield-kirkgate-station-opens-after-5-6m-revamp-1-7460649 |title=Wakefield Kirkgate Station opens after £5.6m revamp - Yorkshire Evening Post |access-date=15 September 2015 |archive-date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308091419/http://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/news/latest-news/top-stories/wakefield-kirkgate-station-opens-after-5-6m-revamp-1-7460649 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/transport-minister-opens-wakefield-kirkgate-station |title=Transport Minister opens Wakefield Kirkgate station - News stories - GOV.UK |access-date=15 September 2015 |archive-date=8 March 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160308203442/https://www.gov.uk/government/news/transport-minister-opens-wakefield-kirkgate-station |url-status=dead }}</ref> included
* Units for new businesses
* Units for new businesses
* Café
* Café
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==Usage==
==Usage==
Figures for annual passenger usage at Kirkgate have been comparatively low, with only 769 tickets sold to/from the station in the 2006/07 financial year.<ref name="railreg">{{Cite web|url=http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1529|title=Office of Rail Regulation statistics}}</ref> This is because most tickets are bought to Wakefield Stations, and it is hard to determine the true use of both Wakefield Westgate and Kirkgate, as separate entities. However, after changes in the way the statistics are split, Kirkgate's usage figure has increased dramatically to a value which more accurately reflects its true usage. Additionally over 61,000 interchanges were recorded during the same period.<ref name="railreg"/>
Historically, figures for annual passenger usage at Kirkgate were comparatively low, with only 769 tickets sold to/from the station in the 2006/07 financial year.<ref name="railreg">{{Cite web|url=http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1529|title=Office of Rail Regulation statistics|access-date=4 February 2009|archive-date=4 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120704101059/http://www.rail-reg.gov.uk/server/show/nav.1529|url-status=dead}}</ref> However this was because most tickets are bought to "Wakefield Stations", and it was hard to determine the true use of Wakefield Westgate and Kirkgate as separate entities. Following changes in the way the statistics are collected, Kirkgate's usage figure increased significantly to a value which more accurately reflects its true usage.<ref name="railreg"/> In 2022/23, 508,000 journeys to and from the station were estimated along with 82,000 interchanges.


== Station layout ==
== Station layout ==
'''Platform 1''' – Served by northbound [[Northern (train operating company)|Northern]] services to {{rws|Leeds}} and {{rws|Castleford}}, and also by services to and from {{rws|Huddersfield}}.
'''Platform 1''' – Served by northbound [[Northern (train operating company)|Northern]] services to {{rws|Leeds}} and {{rws|Castleford}}, and also by services to and from {{rws|York}}.


'''Platform 2''' – Served by southbound [[Northern (train operating company)|Northern]] services towards {{rws|Barnsley}}, [[Meadowhall Interchange]], {{rws|Sheffield}}, {{rws|Lincoln}} and {{rws|Nottingham}}.
'''Platform 2''' – Served by southbound [[Northern (train operating company)|Northern]] services towards {{rws|Barnsley}}, [[Meadowhall Interchange]], {{rws|Sheffield}}, {{rws|Lincoln}} and {{rws|Nottingham}}. The newly introduced [[TransPennine Express]] service to [[Manchester Piccadilly]] via {{rws|Huddersfield}} also calls at this platform four times each day.


'''Platform 3''' – Served by north-eastbound [[Northern (train operating company)|Northern]] services towards Knottingley, westbound to [[Wakefield Westgate]] and Leeds and also several times each day by [[Grand Central (train operating company)|Grand Central]] eastbound towards [[London King's Cross railway station|London King's Cross]] (which then begin a southbound journey after {{rws|Doncaster}}) and westbound towards [[Bradford Interchange]] via [[Halifax railway station (West Yorkshire)|Halifax]].
'''Platform 3''' – Served by north-eastbound [[Northern (train operating company)|Northern]] services towards Knottingley, westbound to [[Wakefield Westgate]] and Leeds and also several times each day by [[Grand Central (train operating company)|Grand Central]] eastbound towards [[London King's Cross railway station|London King's Cross]] (which then begin a southbound journey after {{rws|Doncaster}}) and westbound towards [[Bradford Interchange]] via [[Halifax railway station (West Yorkshire)|Halifax]].
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===Current services===
===Current services===
Most services through this station are operated by [[Northern (train operating company)|Northern]] but those to London and Bradford are operated by [[Grand Central (train operating company)|Grand Central]].
Most services through this station are operated by [[Northern (train operating company)|Northern]], but others are operated by [[TransPennine Express]] and [[Grand Central (train operating company)|Grand Central]].


*[[Hallam Line]] – There are three trains per hour to [[Leeds railway station|Leeds]] and to [[Sheffield railway station|Sheffield]], two express (one of which continues to [[Nottingham railway station|Nottingham]] and the other to [[Lincoln Central railway station|Lincoln]]) and one stopping service, with the latter running via {{rws|Castleford}}.<ref>{{NRtimes|May 2017|34}}</ref>
*[[Hallam Line]] – Three trains per hour to [[Leeds railway station|Leeds]] and to [[Sheffield railway station|Sheffield]]. Two of these are express services that continue from Sheffield to [[Nottingham railway station|Nottingham]] and [[Lincoln Central railway station|Lincoln]] alternately. The third is a stopping service, that in the Leeds direction runs via {{rws|Castleford}}. On Sundays the services to/from Lincoln do not run, and the stopping services are reduced to two-hourly.<ref>{{NRtimes|December 2023|27}}</ref><ref>[https://be803fe5c416e39d38ae-aa21086260d3bd4e072d597fe09c2e80.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/images/timetables/2017-04/spring-winter-timetables/Northern-33-0317-web.pdf Northern Timetable 33 Leeds to Nottingham] ''Northern''; Retrieved 12 May 2017</ref>
*[[Huddersfield Line]] – There is an hourly service between {{rws|Huddersfield}} and {{rws|Castleford}} with no Sunday service.<ref>GB eNRT May 2017 Edition, Table 39</ref>
*[[Pontefract Line]] – One train per hour to [[Leeds railway station|Leeds]] and to [[Knottingley railway station|Knottingley]] via [[Pontefract Monkhill]], with a two-hourly service on Sundays. This provides a rail link to Wakefield Westgate.<ref>GB eNRT, Table 32</ref>
*[[Pontefract Line]] – There is an hourly service between [[Leeds railway station|Leeds]] and [[Knottingley railway station]] via [[Pontefract Monkhill]] with a two-hourly service on Sundays.<ref>GB eNRT, Table 32</ref>
*[[TransPennine Express]] – One train every two hours to [[York railway station|York]] and to [[Manchester Piccadilly]] via [[Huddersfield railway station|Huddersfield]], with no Sunday service. <ref>{{cite web |title=North Trans-Pennine Route Table 2 |url=https://timetables.tpexpress.co.uk/#/timetables/2800/Table%202 |publisher=TransPennine Express |access-date=14 August 2024}}</ref>
*[[Leeds railway station|Leeds]] to [[Nottingham railway station|Nottingham]] – There is an hourly service every day in both directions, via [[Barnsley Interchange|Barnsley]], [[Sheffield Midland railway station|Sheffield]] and [[Chesterfield railway station|Chesterfield]].<ref>[https://be803fe5c416e39d38ae-aa21086260d3bd4e072d597fe09c2e80.ssl.cf3.rackcdn.com/images/timetables/2017-04/spring-winter-timetables/Northern-33-0317-web.pdf Northern Timetable 33 Leeds to Nottingham] ''Northern''; Retrieved 12 May 2017</ref>
* [[Bradford Interchange]] to [[London King's Cross railway station|London King's Cross]] – Four trains per day in each direction. London trains travel via [[Doncaster railway station|Doncaster]] and those to Bradford go via [[Mirfield railway station|Mirfield]] and the [[Caldervale Line]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grandcentralrail.com/tickets-timetables/train-timetables/west-yorkshire-and-doncaster-timetable/|title=West Yorkshire and Doncaster timetable|website=Grand Central Trains|publisher=Grand Central|access-date=30 December 2016}}</ref>
*[[Leeds railway station|Leeds]] to [[Lincoln Central railway station|Lincoln]] - There is an hourly service every day in both directions, via [[Barnsley Interchange|Barnsley]], [[Sheffield Midland railway station|Sheffield]] and [[Worksop railway station|Worksop]].
* [[Bradford Interchange]] to [[London King's Cross railway station|London King's Cross]] – There are four trains in each direction per day. London trains travel via [[Doncaster railway station|Doncaster]] and those to Bradford go via [[Mirfield railway station|Mirfield]] and the [[Caldervale Line]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.grandcentralrail.com/tickets-timetables/train-timetables/west-yorkshire-and-doncaster-timetable/|title=West Yorkshire and Doncaster timetable|website=Grand Central Trains|publisher=Grand Central|access-date=30 December 2016}}</ref>
{{s-start|noclear=yes}}
{{s-start|noclear=yes}}
{{s-rail|title=National Rail}}
{{s-rail|title=National Rail}}
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{{s-rail-national|previous=Pontefract Monkhill|next=Mirfield|toc=Grand Central|route=West Riding|rows2=2|rowsmid=2}}
{{s-rail-national|previous=Pontefract Monkhill|next=Mirfield|toc=Grand Central|route=West Riding|rows2=2|rowsmid=2}}
{{s-rail-national|previous=Doncaster|hide2=yes|hidemid=yes}}
{{s-rail-national|previous=Doncaster|hide2=yes|hidemid=yes}}
{{s-rail-national|previous=Mirfield|next=Normanton|toc=TransPennine Express|route=North TransPennine}}
{{s-note|text=Future Services}}
{{rail line |previous={{stnlnk|Barnsley}}|next={{stnlnk|Leeds}} |route=[[Northern (train operating company)|Northern Connect]]<br /><small>Leeds - Lincoln</small> |col={{Northern colour}} |lightcol={{Northern colour|Lincoln-Leeds}} }}
{{Disused Rail Insert}}
{{Disused Rail Insert}}
{{rail line |next={{stnlnk|Ryhill Halt}}<br /><small>Line and station closed</small> |route=[[Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway]]<br /><small>[[Dearne Valley Railway]]</small> |col={{LYR colour}} }}
{{rail line |next={{stnlnk|Ryhill Halt}}<br /><small>Line and station closed</small> |route=[[Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway]]<br /><small>[[Dearne Valley Railway]]</small> |col={{LYR colour}} }}
{{s-end}}
{{s-end}}

===Future services===

From December 2019, services to {{rws|Nottingham}} will begin operating via [[Wakefield Westgate]], meaning they no longer stop here. This change is part of the new ''Northern Connect'' service, from here on, Kirkgate will be served by an hourly train to [[Lincoln Central]] via {{rws|Sheffield}} and {{rws|Retford}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://media.northernrailway.co.uk/news/|title=Northern News|website=Northern News}}</ref> These services will be operated by brand new rolling stock, featuring free WiFi.


===Summer Special trains===
===Summer Special trains===


During the summer, excursion trains using heritage rolling stock run through the station; the [[Scarborough Spa Express]] on alternate Thursdays and The Dalesman to [[Carlisle railway station|Carlisle]] running over the [[Settle-Carlisle line]] on occasional Mondays and Tuesdays. These services are hauled by diesel locomotives through West Yorkshire and changed to steam haulage part way along the routes.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://westcoastrailways.co.uk/dalesman/fare-prices|title=The Dalesman - Fare Prices|website=westcoastrailways.co.uk}}</ref><ref>[https://www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/scarborough/timetable-scarborough-steam-train.cfm]{{dead link|date=July 2021}}</ref>
During the summer, excursion trains using heritage rolling stock run through the station; the [[Scarborough Spa Express]] on alternate Thursdays and The Dalesman to [[Carlisle railway station|Carlisle]] running over the [[Settle-Carlisle line]] on occasional Mondays and Tuesdays. These services are hauled by diesel locomotives through West Yorkshire and changed to steam haulage part way along the routes, usually at Hellifield.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://westcoastrailways.co.uk/dalesman/fare-prices|title=The Dalesman - Fare Prices|website=westcoastrailways.co.uk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/scarborough/timetable-scarborough-steam-train.cfm |title=The Scarborough Spa Express – Timetable |access-date=13 July 2018 |archive-date=14 July 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714021033/https://www.westcoastrailways.co.uk/scarborough/timetable-scarborough-steam-train.cfm |url-status=dead }}</ref>


==See also==
==See also==
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[[Category:Railway stations in Wakefield]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Wakefield]]
[[Category:DfT Category F1 stations]]
[[Category:Former Great Northern Railway stations]]
[[Category:Former Great Northern Railway stations]]
[[Category:Former Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway stations]]
[[Category:Former Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway stations]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Great Britain opened in 1840]]
[[Category:Railway stations in Great Britain opened in 1840]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Grand Central Railway]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Grand Central Railway]]
[[Category:Northern franchise railway stations]]
[[Category:Railway stations served by Northern]]
[[Category:Grade II listed buildings in West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Grade II listed buildings in West Yorkshire]]
[[Category:Buildings and structures in Wakefield]]
[[Category:Grade II listed railway stations]]
[[Category:Grade II listed railway stations]]
[[Category:Listed buildings in Wakefield]]
[[Category:Listed buildings in Wakefield]]

Latest revision as of 22:17, 21 November 2024

Wakefield Kirkgate
National Rail
Entrance to the railway station in July 2018
General information
LocationWakefield, City of Wakefield
England
Coordinates53°40′44″N 1°29′17″W / 53.679°N 1.488°W / 53.679; -1.488
Grid referenceSE339204
Managed byNorthern
Transit authorityWest Yorkshire (Metro)
Platforms3
Tracks4
Other information
Station codeWKK
Fare zone3
ClassificationDfT category F1
History
Opened5 October 1840
Original companyManchester and Leeds Railway
Pre-groupingLancashire and Yorkshire Railway
Post-groupingLondon, Midland and Scottish Railway
Key dates
5 October 1840Station opened
Passengers
2019/20Decrease 0.511 million
2020/21Decrease 0.115 million
 Interchange  37,859
2021/22Increase 0.380 million
 Interchange Increase 88,600
2022/23Increase 0.508 million
 Interchange Decrease 82,663
2023/24Increase 0.539 million
 Interchange Increase 120,984
Notes
Passenger statistics from the Office of Rail and Road

Wakefield Kirkgate railway station is a railway station in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England. Unlike the nearby Wakefield Westgate railway station, Kirkgate is unstaffed.[1] The station is managed by Northern but also served by Grand Central and TransPennine Express. It is on the Hallam, Calder Valley, Pontefract and Huddersfield lines. It has a limited number of services to London King's Cross.

History

[edit]
Wakefield Kirkgate platform, August 2013

The original Kirkgate station opened by the Manchester and Leeds Railway in 1840 was the only station in Wakefield until Westgate was opened in 1867. The railway station building dates from 1854. It is named for the nearby Kirkgate street.

Some demolition work took place in 1972, removing buildings on the island platform and the roof with its original ironwork canopy which covered the whole station. A wall remains as evidence of these buildings. After this, Kirkgate was listed in 1979.[2]

Since Westgate developed as Wakefield's main railway station, Kirkgate was neglected for many years and deteriorated until it was in a poor state of repair. In January 2008 the former goods warehouse was demolished to make way for a depot for Network Rail.[3] In October 2008, part of the station wall collapsed, destroying a parked car.[4]

The station is unstaffed and, despite the presence of CCTV,[1] it suffered from crime. A rape,[5] a serious assault[6] and several robberies took place there. In July 2009, Kirkgate station was visited by Secretary of State for Transport Lord Adonis who dubbed it "the worst medium-large station in Britain".[7] Local consensus was that the state of its facilities discouraged its use.[8]

Refurbishment 2013–15

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Following a campaign supported by the Wakefield Express newspaper,[9] plans to redevelop the station[10] were formulated. In July 2011, Wakefield Council was asked to decide upon a £500,000 grant to the environmental regeneration charity Groundwork UK as part of its £4 million Kirkgate project in which new life would be breathed into the area.[11] The proposal was approved and funds raised in March 2013.[12] The work was carried out in two phases between 2013 and 2015.[13]

Work completed by June 2013 included the following items:[14]

  • Removal of life-expired and unused canopies
  • Refurbishment and reglazing of the Leeds-bound canopy
  • Creation of new entrances to the subway
  • Installation of electronic information screens on the platforms and entrance hall

A second phase of work, completed in September 2015,[15][16] included

  • Units for new businesses
  • Café
  • Retail outlet
  • Exhibition spaces
  • Meeting rooms for community and local business
  • Accommodation for Groundwork Wakefield

Grand Central opened a first class lounge for its customers in April 2017.[17]

Usage

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Historically, figures for annual passenger usage at Kirkgate were comparatively low, with only 769 tickets sold to/from the station in the 2006/07 financial year.[18] However this was because most tickets are bought to "Wakefield Stations", and it was hard to determine the true use of Wakefield Westgate and Kirkgate as separate entities. Following changes in the way the statistics are collected, Kirkgate's usage figure increased significantly to a value which more accurately reflects its true usage.[18] In 2022/23, 508,000 journeys to and from the station were estimated along with 82,000 interchanges.

Station layout

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Platform 1 – Served by northbound Northern services to Leeds and Castleford, and also by services to and from York.

Platform 2 – Served by southbound Northern services towards Barnsley, Meadowhall Interchange, Sheffield, Lincoln and Nottingham. The newly introduced TransPennine Express service to Manchester Piccadilly via Huddersfield also calls at this platform four times each day.

Platform 3 – Served by north-eastbound Northern services towards Knottingley, westbound to Wakefield Westgate and Leeds and also several times each day by Grand Central eastbound towards London King's Cross (which then begin a southbound journey after Doncaster) and westbound towards Bradford Interchange via Halifax.

The island platform consisting of platforms 2 and 3, is linked to platform 1 and the station building by a newly refurbished subway, featuring better lighting and new bright white paint. Art panels were added to the subway in February 2017, and a brass band rendition of 'Jerusalem' plays in the background.[19]

Services

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View westward, towards Mirfield in 1966
Pacer DMU at Wakefield Kirkgate platform one. May 2006
142066 at Wakefield Kirkgate platform two. May 2006
153352 DMU at Wakefield Kirkgate platform three. May 2006
45407 The Lancashire Fusilier at Wakefield Kirkgate Station in August 2010

Current services

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Most services through this station are operated by Northern, but others are operated by TransPennine Express and Grand Central.

Preceding station   National Rail National Rail   Following station
Northern
Hallam Line
Northern
Huddersfield Line
Northern
Northern
Leeds-Nottingham
Northern
Leeds-Lincoln
Grand Central
West Riding
TransPennine Express
North TransPennine
Disused railways
Terminus   Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway
Dearne Valley Railway
  Ryhill Halt
Line and station closed

Summer Special trains

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During the summer, excursion trains using heritage rolling stock run through the station; the Scarborough Spa Express on alternate Thursdays and The Dalesman to Carlisle running over the Settle-Carlisle line on occasional Mondays and Tuesdays. These services are hauled by diesel locomotives through West Yorkshire and changed to steam haulage part way along the routes, usually at Hellifield.[25][26]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Station Facilities: Wakefield Kirkgate". National Rail. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
  2. ^ "List of Listed Buildings, Scheduled Ancient Monuments and Buildings of Local Interest" (PDF). City of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council. 26 April 2005. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 February 2009. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
  3. ^ "Going..Going..nearly Gone..!". Wakey S&T..Online. Archived from the original on 8 July 2011. Retrieved 3 April 2008.
  4. ^ Wright, Rebecca (3 October 2008). "Car crushed as Kirkgate Station wall collapses". Wakefield Express. Retrieved 22 August 2009.
  5. ^ "Kirkgate rapist jailed indefinitely". Wakefield Express. 3 April 2009. Retrieved 21 April 2009.
  6. ^ Bradley, Lisa (29 July 2009). "Man attacked at Wakefield Kirkgate Station". Wakefield Express. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
  7. ^ "Lord Adonis criticises Network Rail in letter about state of Wakefield Kirkgate". Wakefield Express. Johnston Press Digital Publishing. 30 July 2009. Retrieved 1 August 2009.
  8. ^ "Rail Safety at Kirkgate and Services on the Pontefract Line" (PDF). City of Wakefield Metropolitan District Council. Retrieved 3 April 2008.
  9. ^ "Kirkgate Station Petition". Wakefield Express. Retrieved 21 April 2009.
  10. ^ "West Yorkshire Metro | Schemes under development | Wakefield Kirkgate Station Redevelopment". Archived from the original on 7 December 2008. Retrieved 4 February 2009.
  11. ^ "Council vote on Kirkgate". Wakefield Express. 11 July 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  12. ^ "Wakefield Kirkgate: £4.6m raised for 'worst' station's upgrade". BBC News. 18 March 2013. Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  13. ^ "Kirkgate Station officially open after multi-million pound renovation". Pontefract and Castleford Express. Retrieved 16 December 2016.
  14. ^ "Wakefield Kirkgate Rail Station Redevelopment". Retrieved 7 June 2013.
  15. ^ "Wakefield Kirkgate Station opens after £5.6m revamp - Yorkshire Evening Post". Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  16. ^ "Transport Minister opens Wakefield Kirkgate station - News stories - GOV.UK". Archived from the original on 8 March 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2015.
  17. ^ "Grand Central Rail unveils First Class lounge Wakefield". Buying Business Travel. 5 April 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  18. ^ a b "Office of Rail Regulation statistics". Archived from the original on 4 July 2012. Retrieved 4 February 2009.
  19. ^ "Permanent art show in Wakefield Kirkgate station underpass". BBC News. 2 February 2017. Retrieved 9 August 2017.
  20. ^ Table 27 National Rail timetable, December 2023
  21. ^ Northern Timetable 33 Leeds to Nottingham Northern; Retrieved 12 May 2017
  22. ^ GB eNRT, Table 32
  23. ^ "North Trans-Pennine Route Table 2". TransPennine Express. Retrieved 14 August 2024.
  24. ^ "West Yorkshire and Doncaster timetable". Grand Central Trains. Grand Central. Retrieved 30 December 2016.
  25. ^ "The Dalesman - Fare Prices". westcoastrailways.co.uk.
  26. ^ "The Scarborough Spa Express – Timetable". Archived from the original on 14 July 2018. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
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Media related to Wakefield Kirkgate railway station at Wikimedia Commons