£15m plan for new gateway to city station

PLANS to open a futuristic £15m new entrance to a Yorkshire railway station have been unveiled.

A new entrance to Leeds City Station is planned via Granary Wharf to allow passengers quicker and more convenient access to the station from its south side.

Public transport authority Metro and Network Rail are developing the scheme which will allow people to get in and out of Leeds station from both sides of the river Aire.

The scheme is likely to be 90% funded by the Department for Transport with the remainder provided locally.

Public exhibitions of the plans are being held at the station from today to canvass the opinions of travellers and local residents and businesses.

Richard Lungmuss, route director for Network Rail, said: “More than 100,000 people come through Leeds station on a normal weekday and the number of passengers is steadily increasing. This new entrance will not only improve access for those coming into the station from the south but will also help us to manage future demand.

“This is the first stage in a range of exciting plans for the station which will continue to improve facilities and services for passengers.”

The new entrance has been carefully designed using a curved design, minimising its size, while remaining “modern, accessible and attractive” said Network Rail.

“Leeds Station is at the heart of the city and the city region,” said Metro chairman Cllr Ryk Downes. “Our proposed new entrance will create a faster, step-free route to the vibrant areas to the south of the city centre such as Holbeck Urban Village, Bridgewater Place, the riverside and canal basin.”

“Together with proposed new stations at Kirkstall Forge, Apperley Bridge and Low Moor, this is a significant investment in local rail travel and the local economy by Metro and Network Rail.”

Feedback can be provided by visiting www.wymetro.com/leedssouthern, sending an email to leedssouthern@wypte.gov.uk or by filling in forms which will be available at the exhibition and from information points at the station.

A planning application is likely to be submitted in September and if approved, the new entrance is likely to open in 2012.