The West Yorkshire Combined Authority intend to create a new station in Thorpe Park as soon as next year. There is a consultation on the Your Voice platform that will run until the 15th September where people can have their say.
So, what’s happening?
There are currently plans in the works to build a new rail station on the existing Leeds to York section of the Transpennine line. This station would be between the Garforth and Cross Gates stations, and sit within the wider development at Thorpe Park.
The station had its first approval in 2021, and it is currently in its design phase. Following this, there will be a Full Business Case, and then, providing everything else is approved, the station will start to be created.
The station is currently being funded by the New Stations Fund 3 and West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund.
The station has aims to serve the Thorpe Park development, connect people to jobs around the area, provide an accessible station, and improve rail access for those living in East Leeds.
There would be no rail station closures associated with this new development. However, as a result of reliable transport along the Thorpe Park line, East Garforth station would experience a reduction in train frequency of one train per hour in each direction.
What would a new station look like?
According to this webpage, there would be two platforms, a footbridge with lift access, ticket machines and a covered sitting area, step-free access to every platform, cycle storage, a drop off and pick up point, rail services with a minimum of two trains an hour. The station would not be staffed.
There would be a ticket machine, but no toilets at the station. CCTV would cover the area.
There would also be a car park with blue badge parking spaces and electric vehicle charging points, and a provision for a bus service. Walks between The Springs and the station would take 5-10 minutes.
According to a recently-published BBC article, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority said that the station would provide rail journeys between 10 and 12 minutes.
If the construction of the station is approved, building will begin in 2027. The cost for the scheme is estimated at £40m.
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