Passengers using Wakefield Kirkgate station will benefit from new CCTV, improved signage, a help-point on platforms 2 and 3 and an improved subway environment under work being carried out by Network Rail and Northern Rail.

The work, which has already begun, is being funded through the National Stations Improvement Programme (NSIP) and follows investment by Network Rail, Northern Rail and Metro in August to resurface and remark the car park.

The CCTV upgrade is expected to be completed in December this year with the remainder of the work completed by 31 March 2010, subject to listed building consent being secured.

Richard Lungmuss, route director for Network Rail, said: “This station has received some justifiable criticism and we are keen to show that we have listened to those comments and are taking action.  Working as a partnership has allowed us to secure funding to carry out these improvements and we will continue to look for ways that we can make the environment even better for passengers.”

£300,000 NSIP funding has been allocated to the station.

Steve Butcher, Area Director, Northern Rail said: “These improvements will help to create a more secure environment for passengers at Kirkgate and through our partnership with Network Rail, Metro and Wakefield Council we’ll continue to seek funding for further developments at the station.”

Metro Chairman Cllr Ryk Downes said, “I am pleased to see these improvements taking place utilising NSIP funds and fulfilling some of the aspirations contained in the Kirkgate Development Brief, which Metro and its partners have developed over a number of years.

“If the funding bid that Metro has submitted to the Department for Transport’s Access for All scheme is successful, work to install electronic passenger information screens could also start next year.”