Leeds station will enter the next stage of its transformation in March as the council bids to create a more people-friendly environment.
The Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme is set to overhaul the current station setup to allow for growing numbers of commuters and make sure they are kept safe and secure. A total of £46.1 million is being invested, which is being delivered by Leeds City Council on behalf of Network Rail in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Works and preparations have been underway since May 2022, and more major improvement is set to begin in early March. The works will include the pedestrianisation of New Station Street and the relocation of the taxi rank.
Here is a full list of all the works that will take place in March:
- Pedestrianisation of New Station Street, including the section which meets Boar Lane, with outdoor seating and rest areas, and landscaping.
- Relocating the existing taxi rank to Bishopgate Street where there will be a large and well-lit shelter and room for six vehicles, also allowing for kerb-side boarding which will help people with wheelchairs or assistance dogs to board more easily.
- Two 21-passenger lifts from Bishopgate Street to the station entrance on New Station Street, providing step-free access between the two streets.
- A high quality cycle hub at the station, which will include electric charging points and storage for all types of cycles.
- Environmental improvements to Neville Street and Dark Neville Street including enhanced lighting, road surface and pavement and elevation treatments.
- Installing high-quality cycle infrastructure on Bishopgate Street and Neville Street, and improvements to cycling infrastructure in surrounding communities.
A separate project will see Network Rail reinforce the underground structure below New Station Street which supports much of the station above it. The council says that working on the two schemes at once will mean less disruption for the city in the long-term.
In May, as part of Network Rail’s scheme, the taxi rank will be moving to Princes Square. Network Rail is currently liaising with private hire and hackney carriage services with details of the arrangements. The northern section of New Station Street from the main entrance will also be closed to vehicles, except service vehicles and emergency services.
Pedestrians will still be able to walk towards Boar Lane from the main entrance or use the station’s northern entrance.
Cllr James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, said: “We are delighted to begin these improvements in earnest, creating a gateway to our city that meets the current and future needs of everyone who uses the station. Our railway station plays a key role in the North of England’s rail connectivity, so it is vital that we provide a much better experience and capacity for station users as we prepare to welcome further investment in our region’s rail network including the Transpennine Route Upgrade and Northern Powerhouse Rail.”
Cllr Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for infrastructure and climate, said: “These works complement our ongoing transformation of City Square and will create a safer and people-friendly environment, not only improving access to the station but also building better links between the existing city centre and the wider South Bank.”
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Leeds City Rail Station is one of the busiest in the country - it’s a gateway to a vibrant city, as well as many destinations across our region and beyond. Growing our economy, connecting more people with opportunities and tackling the climate emergency are at the heart of making West Yorkshire an even better place to live and work, and these improvements are key to that.”
Matt Rice, North and East Route Director for Network Rail, said: “It is fantastic to see that the next stage of this transformation to the front of Leeds station will get underway next month, and we are pleased to be working in partnership with Leeds City Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority on this scheme.
“There is a huge amount of investment going into the railway both in Leeds and across the whole of the North at the moment, this scheme included. Transforming Leeds station with accessibility improvements and a better cycling infrastructure will be great for everyone who uses the station, and delivering the two schemes together will reduce any impact on passengers.”
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