The Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway is expected to begin opening in October.
The £46.1m scheme is transforming the main entrance to Leeds City Station, creating a safer, more accessible and more inviting space for everyone who uses it, and will help the station accommodate ever-increasing demand for rail travel in the city.
Delivered by Leeds City Council on behalf of Network Rail, in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, construction works are entering their final stages. The scheme has been built at the same time as essential maintenance by Network Rail to reinforce the underground structure below New Station Street, which supports much of the station above it.
Combining the works has seen a significant feat of engineering which has ensured value for money and reduced disruption for passengers and the city compared to delivering two schemes separately and at different times.
Network Rail, as the asset owner, will take over the scheme once it is completed. However partners are working together to negotiate the earlier opening of some elements of the scheme in advance of full completion.
This could allow the public realm area and steps between Bishopgate Street and New Station Street to open in early to mid-October.
In the meantime, work is ongoing by constructor partner Balfour Beatty to install and test the lifts between New Station Street and Bishopgate Street, and the cycle hub lifts beneath the station.
The lifts between New Station Street and Bishopgate Street are an important part of providing step-free access between the two streets. These lifts are expected to open in mid-October, allowing the taxi rank to relocate to Bishopgate Street from Princes Square at the rear of the station.
The cycle hub lifts are expected to open in late October.
Councillor James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, said:
The station gateway scheme will create a safer and more welcoming and accessible environment for everyone using the station’s main entrance, and we have seen a real rise in the number of people catching the train to and from Leeds and the facilities need to keep pace.
I know it’s taken time, however, Leeds City Station is built on a massive and historic set of Victorian brick arches which need maintaining and the two schemes have gone ahead together.
The scheme is funded by the Combined Authority’s Transforming Cities Fund programme which is aimed at making it easier for people to walk, cycle and use public transport.
To find out more about the scheme visit https://commonplace.is
