Permission granted for £100m rail depot at former scrapyard

A proposed £100m rail depot near Bradford, part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, has secured planning consent

Bradford Council has approved plans to build the Shipley Train Care Centre next to Shipley Railway Station.

The depot, which will be constructed on the former Crossley Evans scrapyard site, is expected to be complete by 2027. It will bring more than 90 jobs to the town.

The development was first revealed in March by the then rail minister Huw Merriman. He said it demonstrated the Government’s plan to invest in infrastructure and “support the region’s huge potential for growth.”

It will replace the Neville Hill facility in east Leeds, which will be temporarily shut as part of upcoming Transpennine route work.

However, when Neville Hill reopens a depot will remain in Shipley to boost capacity.

Network Rail’s plans included a large maintenance building, an under-frame cleaning facility, a carriage wash machine and gatehouse building.

Its planning application explains: “The purpose of the depot is to provide day-to-day railway servicing, maintenance and stabling of trains associated with the Northern franchise.

“The depot will be operational 24 hours a day throughout the week and weekends. It is anticipated that approximately 92 staff will be employed at the site.”