It was great for the Institute for Collaborative Working Highways Forum (ICW) hosted this week by Sisk at York Central - one of the UK's most ambitious brownfield regeneration schemes.

The £2billion+ York Central project will transform a 45-hectare site behind York Railway Station into a new mixed-use district, delivering up to 2,500 homes (including 20% affordable). Around 1 million sq ft of office, retail and hospitality space. A new urban park and high-quality public areas. Major transport enhancements, including a new western station entrance.

Sisk is leading the £150million infrastructure package, providing the essential backbone for this city-shaping programme. Their works include a 2km development spine road with new junctions, bus routes, cycleways and footpaths, plus major structures such as an iconic road-over-rail bridge and a new footbridge across the East Coast Main Line. The programme also covers extensive earthworks, utility diversions, sustainable drainage systems, landscaping, and a rail spur serving the National Railway Museum.

With a wide network of stakeholders - spanning government, developers, transport bodies and local partners - York Central exemplifies the complexity and opportunity that collaboration brings to large-scale infrastructure delivery.

The ICW Highways Forum were fascinated to see the progress and discuss how collaborative behaviours can enable success - while also exploring where challenges remain on multi-party, high-value programmes. The meeting was also a chance to agree Forum priorities for 2026, focusing on driving better outcomes through collaborative practice across the highways and infrastructure sector.

A huge thank-you to Sisk for hosting and showcasing this landmark project - a powerful example of what can be achieved when collaboration, capability and commitment come together.