Matthew HigginsYork’s first train station opened in 1839 as a wooden structure outside of the city walls. Today after a few relocations and rebuilds we have an award winning rail hub to be proud of. Since the major renovation works to platform 9 in 2009 the station has gone from strength to strength.
Thursday 15th September saw the National Rail Awards 2011, and this year East Coast has been celebrating as York was named the Overall Station of the Year 2011. The Station is managed by East Coast and before the top prize was announced picked up ‘Large Station of the Year’ at the London ceremony beating 2,500 other stations for the top prize.
The National Rail Awards recognises the excellence and the achievements in the UK rail industry, and it has been said by many that they are the rail industry ‘Oscars’. The Station of the Year award is split up in three different categories (small, medium and large). Mexborough picked up the prize for small, and Brighton got the award for medium. The awards are given to those stations that are outstanding in smooth, efficient and pleasant departure and arrival point for its commuters.
East Coast Managing Director Karen Boswell said, “We are absolutely thrilled about the double achievement of our team at York station, and it is a testament to their hard-work and commitment to delivering the highest quality of service to our customers.” After recent changes made to York station to improve the facilities for all travellers it is easy to see why York station has picked been awarded Station of the Year 2011. And Karen went on to say: “York is one of the most visited places in the UK. It now has an award winning station to be proud of which will give visitors a fantastic first impression of the city.”
East Coast trains manage Durham, Doncaster and Retford who were also shortlisted at the ceremony for the Large and Medium station awards. The evening was a huge success for East Coast trains, and now York can add The Station of the Year Award 2011, to its many other accolades.
Image courtesy of Howard Longden.
