Plans announced for new rail station connecting to Leeds Bradford Airport

Plans for a new parkway rail station connecting to Leeds Bradford Airport have been revealed as part of proposals to make £270m of improvements to transport in Leeds.

The announcement, along with two other new stations to be created in the city and additional rail network improvements, are the first details to be revealed ahead of a new transport strategy for Leeds being released on Tuesday 6th December.

This new strategy is a result of the findings of the biggest-ever transport conversation held with residents, businesses, stakeholders and visitors in the city which included more than 8,000 people taking part in a recent survey.

The new parkway station would be built on the existing Leeds to Harrogate line, connecting to the wider rail network and serving and supporting the development of Leeds Bradford Airport, which is used by 3.5 million passengers a year and contributes £100m annually to the city region economy.

As well as creating new jobs and employment opportunities, the new station would also act as a park and ride station to be used by commuters to Leeds and Harrogate, boosting both economies.

Two other new stations are also proposed at White Rose Shopping Centre and Office Park to support retail, connectivity and employment and at Thorpe Park to support job creation and housing growth along the East Leeds Extension.

The new stations would be part-funded from the £173.5m of Department of Transport funding secured following the decision not to proceed with the New Generation Transport (NGT) trolleybus in May, with the funds needing to be invested in public transport before the end of 2021.

Support from West Yorkshire Combined Authority and private sector stakeholders increases the funding available to in excess of £270m for Leeds.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said: “These plans announced today and the full proposals and strategy to be released tomorrow represent a transformational step change for public transport in Leeds.

“Through the transport conversation we have been given a clear message that people want improvements to be made to benefit all areas of the city as soon as possible, not in another 10 or 15 years’ time but now. I am very pleased to say that everything we are putting forward in this plan is deliverable in the short to medium term.

“Providing a connection by rail to the airport has long been an ambition for the city and this plan will deliver it in a cost-effective way, along with two other new stations at the White Rose Shopping Centre and Thorpe Park to help drive forward job creation, productivity and economic growth.

“These plans all fit with the Department of Transport request that we invest the £173.5m in public transport improvements before the end of 2021, and I am delighted that together with additional funding proposed by stakeholders and private partners we can now do even more to improve transport in our city and make a real difference.”

John Parkin, Leeds Bradford Airport chief executive, said: “This announcement is fantastic news for the millions of passengers who travel to and from Leeds Bradford Airport each year.

“As one of the country’s fastest growing regional airports, it is vital that we give passengers more choice about how they are able to get here. Investing in the public transport network in this way will enable people to travel to and from the airport easily, as well as create jobs and help to ease road congestion in the area.

“We’re pleased that steps are being taken to implement this transformational project and we look forward to seeing it progress.”