Rail halt plan for KC hits buffers

Hopes of developing a new rail halt next to the KC Stadium in Hull look certain to be dashed.

The conclusions of a study say the idea has little prospect of attracting funding.

It suggests the scheme is not even close to being regarded as a priority for future rail investment in the region.

Estimates put the cost of building a double platform halt at £5.5m.

In addition, annual running costs would be between £100,000 and £200,000, depending on whether the facility was manned.

Even if a halt was built, the study claims few trains would be able to use it because current timetable constraints make it unattractive to potential operators.

Instead, consultants behind the study say money would be better spent developing bus services in the area around the stadium.

The feasibility study was commissioned last year by the area's two local councils, regional development agency Yorkshire Forward and the Stadium Management Company.

It aimed to revive the idea of a rail stop serving the KC Stadium and the nearby Hull Royal Infirmary site, first mooted in the original development plans for the stadium 10 years ago.

A triangle of land between the rail line to Bridlington and the main line to London was set aside for a possible halt when the stadium was built.

But the study's findings are now expected to shunt the proposal firmly into the sidings for the foreseeable future.

The report by transport consultants Steer Davis Gleave says: "The analysis suggests there will be considerable cost in delivering the proposed halt.

"Funding for the scheme is unlikely to be readily available, even more so in the present financial and economic climate.

"National and regional funds are not expected to prioritise this scheme over others and the most recent assessment of Yorkshire and Humber rail schemes does not mention the proposed halt."

The consultants say any available transport funding from any or all of the partners should instead be spent on improving the bus network in the immediate area.

They suggest dedicated match-day bus shuttles between the stadium and the city centre, more direct services between Hull Royal Infirmary and the Paragon Interchange and more priority measures for buses on roads heading to the stadium.

The study also rules out additional rail halts on the Bricknell estate in west Hull and next to the existing Priory Park park-and-ride site near Hessle.

Mark Jones, the city council's head of regional development, said: "Given the findings of these reports, it is unlikely a strong enough case for funding any of the proposed halts could be prepared at this time."

David Walford, sub-regional rail development officer for the Community Rail Humber group, said the idea of a rail halt at the KC was always going to be fraught with technical problems because of surrounding railway lines.

He said: "In some ways, it would be like putting a bus stop on a motorway."

Councillors on the city's environment and transport scrutiny commission will discuss the study's findings at a meeting next week.