Gateway for a new century

The 'dream team' responsible for the acclaimed Gateshead Millennium Bridge and Rotherham's Magna Centre is to design a new gateway to Hull. The award-winning Wilkinson Eyre Architects are to create a landmark building at the entrance to Hull's new transport interchange.

Travelling right: an artist's impression of the brand new transport interchange.

It will recreate in modern form the station's former canopy, lost to war damage. The 1960s office block that currently fronts Paragon Station, will be demolished as part of the plans but other original aspects of the existing Grade II listed building will be restored while passenger facilities are modernised.

Around a main concourse, the architects aim to link 40 local bus bays and four intercity coach bays with trains and a taxi and car drop-off point. It is expected that the new 'joined up' travel service will create an extra 300,000 return journeys by public transport annually.

Foster and Partners will design other aspects of the redevelopment, including shops and a new base for Hull Truck Theatre. The £10m Paragon Transport Interchange, integrating the existing rail and bus services, is a key element of the Ferensway redevelopment. The £150m St Stephen's scheme took another major step forward after a revised development agreement was signed by partners Hull City Council, Yorkshire Forward and London & Amsterdam Developments. Planning consent has also been granted, with building work expected to start later this year.

The new agreement incorporates all the latest plans for the city centre site, including the addition of a major food store. Coun. Jim Mulgrove, City Council cabinet member with responsibility for regeneration and development, commented, "I'm all too well aware that local residents are keen to see Ferensway finally under way."