New £42m parkway station for Leeds Bradford Airport 'would take cars off the road'

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority is asking for the public's feedback on plans to build a new station on the existing Harrogate line, between Horsforth Station and the southern end of the Bramhope tunnel.

The development, which is expected to cost £42m, would have two 125 metre platforms, a staffed station building with shops and waiting area as well as a bus interchange for transferring to Leeds Bradford Airport and a 350-space car park.

City transport officials estimate the journey time from the station to the airport would be roughly five minutes. They say this means the location would deliver the same benefits as having a station at the airport itself, which would cost between £350m and £400m.

It is hoped that two trains an hour will stop at the station, though this might rise to four trains an hour in future, making it easier for people living and working locally to get into the centre of Leeds or Harrogate without a car. Public scheduled buses are not expected to stop at the station.

Those involved in the project also say it will increase access to the North West Leeds Employment Hub, an 80-acre site next to Leeds Bradford Airport which forms a key part of local economic plans.

Kim Groves, chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “We are very keen to hear views on the Parkway Station and for people to see how the proposals have been developed since we last consulted with the public.

"The Parkway Station will help ease current congestion and tackle air quality issues by improving access by public transport and by encouraging fewer people to take to their cars to get to the airport and surrounding areas.

“The station will also help provide access to the proposed North West Leeds Employment Hub in that area, which has the potential to create 5,500 new and local jobs.

“Another important aim of the Parkway Station is to increase sustainable travel in and out of Leeds and other centres with the provision of the park and ride facilities which encourage transfer to rail and reduce reliance on cars.

"This will be really beneficial to local residents who will be able to use this and be better connected to areas across West Yorkshire”

The latest public engagement launched this week is an opportunity for people to offer views on the proposals and update the feedback from a public consultation last year.

In a Q&A section on the combined authority's website said the option of serving Horsforth rail station with an airport shuttle bus service was previously considered but the overall journey time was "less attractive".

On the subject of reopening the disused railway line between Otley and Leeds, it said that while this "remains largely intact, reopening disused railway line requires significant capital and revenue funding which is not available at the moment".

It added: "At present, the Combined Authority has no plans for reopening this line and we are developing a new station to serve Leeds Bradford Airport which is more affordable."

Controversial plans for a new terminal and runway at the airport are expected to be considered this year by Leeds City Council, but the Q&A said: "We expect the station scheme will still be developed regardless of the outcome of the airport terminal planning application."