Transport Minister Andrew Jones has reopened a Grade II listed railway station after it underwent a £5.6m restoration project.

The Wakefield Kirkgate Station in West Yorkshire was officially reopened today, 14 September.

The transformed station, backed by nearly £1.5m of funding from the Department for Transport (DfT), includes a new ticket office, a cafe, waiting areas and retail outlets.

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New office space and meeting rooms have also been created.

The restoration project was delivered by Groundwork Wakefield, the environmental charity, and Network Rail.

The scheme also benefitted from £750,000 from the government's Yorkshire and Humber European Regional Development Fund Programme.

Other partners included West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Wakefield Council, The Railway Heritage Trust and train operators.

Minister Jones said: "The transformation of Wakefield Kirkgate will unlock huge benefits for passengers, the local economy, and the wider regeneration of the Kirkgate area."

The Government is currently investing £13bn in transport infrastructure to build a 'Northern Powerhouse' in the north of England.

(LM)