International consortium appointed to lead next phase of Leeds Station masterplan

A consortium of development experts, including the lead architect behind the redevelopment of King’s Cross in London, have been appointed to lead the next phase of the remodelling of Leeds Station.

The Atkins consortium, made up of a group of global design, engineering and project management consultants, has been awarded a contract to develop the masterplan of Leeds Station, turning it into a modern destination and fully integrated national transport hub.

The group includes Hiro Aso, Gensler Head of Transport & Infrastructure, who was the lead programme architect on the revamp of King’s Cross Station in London.

Leeds City Council and partners aim for Leeds Station to become a key national landmark and transport interchange featuring high-speed rail, as well as being a regeneration and economic driver and asset for the city and region.

The redevelopment of the station is expected to provide approximately 13,000 new jobs in Leeds.

Leeds Station is the busiest station in the north of England used by over 100,000 passengers a day, with those numbers forecast to more than double over the next 30 years.

To cater for this rise in passenger numbers, rail capacity into Leeds is to benefit from longer trains and more frequent services, resulting in a 52% increase in the number of seats in the morning peak on TransPennine Express trains and a 40% increase in the number of passengers that can be carried on Northern trains.

The Atkins consortium is made up of industry specialists Atkins, Gensler, Bilfinger GVA, Faithful + Gould, Albion Economics and BAM Construction.

For Leeds Station, the group is tasked with developing the current masterplan into a blueprint to guide all improvements in the short, medium and longer terms. This includes how to incorporate high speed rail services from HS2 and the proposed Northern Powerhouse Rail– sometimes known as HS3 – together with national, regional and local transport services in a single hub station.

Improved access for cars, taxis, buses, public transport, cycling and walking will also be part of the plans, along with examining options for a common concourse offering easy access between high-speed rail and other services.

In addition, the consortium will work on adding further detail as to how to maximise the commercial opportunities offered by the redevelopment of the station for the city and region, as well as it being an attractive and welcoming focal point, destination and gateway to the rest of the city centre and beyond.

An updated station masterplan featuring the work by the Atkins consortium is likely to be completed by next summer.

Liam Harrison, Atkins market director for Stations & Transport Oriented Development, said: “Our team will be a true partnership, combining each company’s unique expertise to deliver an integrated masterplan that will create a real and positive impact on Leeds as a city and as a key hub in the Northern Powerhouse. By integrating the new HS2 station into Leeds’ existing mainline station and the surrounding area, we’ll help create a 21stcentury station - a fantastic space to travel, live and work.”