This will include the construction of a new bridge over the East Coast Main Line railway, which features pedestrian and cycle lanes segregated from the carriageway, and a new pedestrian and cycle footbridge added to the existing Water End Bridge.

John Sisk and Son will also provide the earthworks and utility works for the entire site.

Funding for the infrastructure works has been secured through the government’s Housing Infrastructure Grant (£77.1m), the City of York Council’s Enterprise Zone Fund (£35m) and from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (£23.5m).

The infrastructure put in place will enable the transformation of the 45-hectare brownfield site into a new mixed-use neighbourhood with residential, cultural, recreational, commercial and outdoor spaces.

Once completed, the project will provide up to 2,500 homes (20% of which will be affordable), and over 1 million sq ft of commercial space for offices, retail and leisure to boost the local economy.

It will offer improved connectivity and access, as well as public realm and open spaces, including an urban park.

As majority landowners on the site, Homes England and Network Rail are acting as master developers, working in collaboration with the City of York Council and the National Railway Museum.

“This marks a significant moment for York Central,” said Peter Freeman, chair at Homes England.

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“We know what a transformational impact urban regeneration schemes, such as this, can have on a place and the benefits it will offer York’s community.”

“The delivery of crucial infrastructure will help achieve that, bringing ours and our partners’ ambitions for this underutilised area another step closer to reality — it’s brilliant to see the plans starting to come to fruition.”

 Paul Brown, CEO at John Sisk and Son, added: “Sisk is delighted to be involved in this exciting project and to build this major infrastructure in line with the York Central masterplan.

“We are committed to delivering this project for the benefit of the whole community and look forward to working in partnership with all the key stakeholders.”

Cllr Keith Aspden, leader of City of York Council, said: “It’s excellent news that construction works are moving forward to make the project, which has been a decades-long held ambition, into reality.

“We want to ensure that this positive progress continues to unlock the site’s enormous potential and deliver economic growth, community space and homes that York needs, all within the heart of the city.

“We are working closely with partners in the York Central Partnership to deliver on our shared vision – a regeneration which drives inclusive and green growth across the city.”