Atkins-led consortium to deliver Sheffield station HS2 transformation

As preparations for HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail services speed up, architects and designers have been appointed to develop a masterplan for Sheffield Midland Railway Station.

Atkins, a member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, will be working in partnership with Cushman & Wakefield, Lambert Smith Hampton, Merrett Houmøller Architects and Quatro PR in the development of the Yorkshire station.

The consortium will not only be responsible for enhancing and upgrading the station but also developing the surrounding areas and improving links to and from the station by rail, tram, bus and for cyclists. Work on the masterplan is expected to be completed in April 2019 and will form part of the wider Sheffield City Region Growth Strategy.

Mike Gardner, Atkins project director, said: "Our masterplan will help ensure that by the time HS2 arrives in Sheffield, the station will be a focal point for the city and offer a first-class experience for passengers. Crucially, we’re also planning beyond the station to ensure that adjacent commercial and residential developments are a catalyst for delivering the city’s wider growth and regeneration ambitions."

The group was appointed by a partnership made up of Sheffield City Council, Sheffield City Region, London and Continental Railways, Department for Transport, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Transport for the North, Network Rail, HS2 Ltd and South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive.

HS2 bosses say the rail network will reduce journey times between Sheffield and London by over half an hour to 1 hour 27 minutes, while the Northern Powerhouse Rail programme is seeking to improve services in the north of England with speedier connections between Sheffield, Manchester and Leeds.

Mazher Iqbal, cabinet member for business and investment at Sheffield County Council, said: "This is a clear indication of how important the new HS2 station location is to Sheffield and the wider city region. The station is absolutely central to our city centre masterplan vision to deliver new jobs, businesses and opportunities to the region. It must be delivered in tandem with improving connectivity to the station and in keeping with our ambitions for a green and sustainable city that works for everybody in Sheffield. I look forward to seeing the plans take shape to deliver thousands of new jobs for our economy."