Plans to bring Victorian station’s shortest platform back into use after …

The curving approach to Hull’s Paragon Station – platform one is to the right (Photo: Alex Wood)

Network Rail, which maintains the UK’s railway infrastructure, is seeking permission to reintroduce the Victorian station’s shortest platform.

The plans, submitted to Hull Council, involve extending Platform One by seven metres to increase capacity in the station.

It follows recent £3.5m investment at the nearby Botanic Gardens depot , managed by train operator Northern, which runs services between Hull, Bridlington, Scarborough, Sheffield York and Leeds.

Plans submitted as part of the application to Hull Council (Photo: Network Rail)

Announcing the Botanic Gardens project, Northern said it would allow them to stable their Class 170 and 155 fleets and carry out repairs and routine maintenance there.

There is now a workforce of 30, split into four maintenance teams, who carry out a lot of the work overnight.

A local rail enthusiast said: “At the moment there are six useable platforms.

“There are more passenger trains than ever before running out of Hull – to Selby and Goole and also TransPennine Express started the hourly service to Liverpool in December.

“They simply need more platform capacity during the day, and also because of the recent investment in Botanic Gardens there’s a shortage of space to store the trains overnight. It’s a very positive move.

“They’ve lifted the track and relaid it and put a signal there.

“The reason they are having to extend it is they can only get short trains there at the moment – the longer the platform the more useable it is.”

The plans require listed building consent as the station, which dates back to 1846, is grade two star listed.

The proposals seek permission to replace worn coper edges, install tactile paving as well as security fencing and CCTV.

Network Rail’s plans state: “There are clear public benefits for the scheme which would improve capacity for rail services within Hull Station, reducing congestion and delays when other platforms are full.”