Five platforms to close for part of festive season at Leeds Railway Station

Network Rail and train operators at Leeds Railway Station are advising passengers to check before they travel over Christmas as major work to improve train services continues.

On Friday, 27, Saturday, 28 and Sunday, 29 December, platforms 1-5 will be closed to allow Network Rail engineers to continue with a project to build a new platform, platform 0, at the station.

Work will also take place to test the new signalling system, install new overhead line equipment and carry out work to the track. A full train service will resume on Monday, 30 December.

Although platforms 1-5 will be closed, the vast majority of services will run and will call at different platforms at the station. However, this work will mean no direct services between Leeds and Harrogate.

People travelling between Leeds and Harrogate will have to use a bus replacement service on the portion of the line between Leeds and Horsforth. Other minor service alterations may be in place. Passengers are urged to check before travelling and allow additional time for their journey.

Matt Rice, route director for Network Rail’s North and East Route, said: “We have planned this work meticulously so it impacts as few people as possible. However, a small number of services will be affected, so we are urging passengers to check before they travel via National Rail Enquiries or with their train operator.

“The work at Leeds this Christmas will allow the transformation of the station to continue, bringing real benefits for the 30 million plus people who use it every year. The work will mean more reliable services and a modernised railway for passengers.

“We would like to thank all passengers for their understanding whilst this work takes place, which will bring us one step closer to completing this vital project at Leeds station.”

Travellers are reminded that, as usual, there will be no train services on Christmas Day or Boxing Day through Leeds. This gives Network Rail the opportunity to carry out major work and minimises the number of times throughout the year when passengers are impacted.

Network Rail is currently transforming Leeds Railway Station and recently installed a transparent roof over the main concourse, making the area much brighter.

As well as the additional platform and upgrades to signalling and track, Network Rail is creating a new façade for the main entrance into the station and refurbishing all the toilets.