Leeds rail station investment warning

That’s the verdict of a new report that says the station is already at capacity for passenger numbers and would “fail” by 2026, impacting services and “constraining” economic growth in the city.

The report says money is needed to help develop plans to expand the station sooner rather than later.

It reads: “The station is at capacity in terms of passenger numbers and will fail by 2026 impacting services and constraining growth.

“Some £8 million needs approving this year to continue our partnership to develop an outline business case to meet forecast growth requirements and plan how to deliver this in a phased manner.

“This is business critical to achieving a sustainable travel hub.”

The claims come as work continues on the new “platform zero” at the station, expected to open next year.

However, the report predicts “urgent” work is needed to revamp capacity at the facility in the coming years, as passenger numbers are expected to increase by more than a third in just six years.

It states: “Track and platform capacity at and around Leeds station is severely constrained and a bottleneck which impacts the local, regional and national network.

“Network Rail have identified potential interventions that are required to deliver future train services and support economic growth to 2043.

“Leeds railway station is the busiest station in the North of England and is an important transport hub in this region. The station serves inter-city services to London, is an important stop on the Cross-Country network to Scotland, Midlands and Southwest England and it serves major Northern destinations including services to Manchester, Liverpool and Newcastle.

“It is also an important commuter station for local services, 80 per cent of services in the West Yorkshire area originate or terminate in Leeds Station.

“The number of rail passengers travelling to Leeds is predicted to increase by 34 per cent by 2026 and by 81 per cent to 2043.

“It is forecasted that the station will reach capacity by 2026 and urgent intervention is required to ensure this does not become a barrier to regional growth.”

Coun Kim Groves, also a Leeds City Councillor, said Leeds City Station will have more passengers than London Kings Cross in just three years.

Coun Groves, who is chairwoman of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s transport committee, agreed work needs to take place sooner rather than later, due to how quickly passenger numbers were predicted to increase over the coming years.

“The station will be busier than London Kings Cross by 2023,” she said. “Leeds Station needs to be a world class gateway for West Yorkshire.

“A big problem has also been capacity. I get correspondence from passengers saying things like they have not been able to get from one side of the station to the other due to the overcrowding.”

The logistics of expanding the station would prove difficult, as it is surrounded by the River Aire, Leeds Liverpool Canal and a number of historic buildings.

But Coun Groves added there were things that could be done to increase capacity and reduce overcrowding, such as long term aims to extend platforms and build alternative entrances.

“This would help us get new trains into the station,” she added. “We really do need HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail in the long term, as this would alleviate pressure on the lines.”