Wakefield station tagged 'Britain's worst' restored Published duration 14 September 2015

image caption Wakefield Kirkgate station, built in 1854, is Grade II listed

A West Yorkshire railway station named six years ago as "the worst in Britain" has reopened after a £5.6m refurbishment.

Kirkgate station in the south of Wakefield was restored over two years after a fundraising campaign by regeneration charity Groundwork.

The Grade II-listed station was the city's first, built in 1854.

Improvements include a new cafe and upgraded passenger facilities with better CCTV, lobby and subway.

Retail space, offices, meeting rooms and incubation units for start-up businesses have also been added. New tenants have already moved in.

Services to London Kings Cross and Bradford Interchange operate through the station and it is hoped the upgrade will bring £38m to the area.

image caption A spokesperson said the upgraded station would unlock £38m of future regeneration for the southern part of Wakefield

In 2009, then transport secretary Lord Adonis called the crumbling building "probably the worst 'medium-large' station in Britain".

Groundwork raised the funds to "bring the building back to its former glory", while it remained open.

Transport minister Andrew Jones unveiled a plaque with the leader of Wakefield Council, Cllr Peter Box, to mark the regeneration.

Cllr Box, also chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority, said the station was a "gateway to the city centre that the people of Wakefield deserve and can be proud of".

He added: "Good transport links are key in creating the right environment for business to grow and Kirkgate provides an impressive gateway to this part of the city.

"I am confident this will boost the investment and economic potential in Kirkgate and help further revitalise this area of the city."

A new bus station opened in nearby Castleford in February.

Peter Cooper, of Groundwork Wakefield, said: "This inspirational building will change the lives of passengers, local residents and businesses.

"We're confident the building will be a hive of activity by the end of the year."

image caption The project was led by Groundwork, working with Wakefield City Council, the Department for Transport, Network Rail, West Yorkshire Combined Authority, the Railway Heritage Trust, Northern Rail and Grand Central. Further funding came from Yorkshire and Humber 2007-2013 European Regional Development Fund, the Headley Trust and Garfield Weston

image copyright Geograph/Walking Person image caption In 2009, then transport secretary Lord Adonis called the crumbling building "probably the worst 'medium-large' station in Britain".