commuters in Leeds are set for a transport boost after a £1million scheme to improve New Pudsey railway station was given the green light.
The seven-figure scheme will see a major re-design and extension of the station’s car park to create an extra 176 parking spaces.
Improvements are also expected to be made to the junction of Bradford Road, which connects to the station, to help the route deal with the additional capacity.
The £1m scheme has been led by Metro along with contributions from Leeds City Council and the Station Commercial Project Facility.
Local councillor Mick Coulson (Lab, Pudsey) welcomed the improvements and said they would alleviate parking problems at the station.
He said: “It is a great decision to improve the facilities at New Pudsey station.
“Parking problems have been an issue here for a number of years and I am pleased it is now being addressed.
“It is great to see the scheme come to fruition as a result of a joint effort from Metro, the council and the Station Commercial Project Facility.
“It will definitely improve the rail service from New Pudsey and allow and encourage more residents in the area to park at the station and travel into Leeds by train.”
The news comes after the YEP revealed that train fare rises triggered by a shock increase in inflation will hit passengers in West Yorkshire harder than their counterparts elsewhere in England.
A surprise inflation rate jump earlier this week left rail users nationwide bracing themselves for a 6.2 per cent hike in average fares at the start of 2013.
But, under the terms of a funding agreement for extra train carriages, ticket prices in West Yorkshire are set to rise even further – by an average of 8.2 per cent.
The improvements to New Pudsey Station are expected to be completed by June next year.
There will continue to be no charge to use the car park and plans are also being discussed for a major refurbishment inside the station.
Commuters in the market town received a boost two years ago following the completion of a £2.5m Pudsey Bus Station in the town centre.
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