Plans unveiled for new parkway rail station connecting to Leeds Bradford Airport

A new parkway rail station connecting to Leeds Bradford Airport forms part of proposals to make £270m of improvements to transport in Leeds.

The announcement, along with two other new stations to be created in the city and additional rail network improvements, are the first details to be revealed ahead of a new transport strategy for Leeds being released on Tuesday.

The new strategy is in response to the findings of the biggest-ever transport conversation held with residents, businesses, stakeholders and visitors in the city which included more than 8,000 people taking part in a recent survey.

The new parkway station would be built on the existing Leeds to Harrogate line, connecting to the wider rail network and serving and supporting the development of Leeds Bradford Airport.

The new station would see jobs and employment opportunities created, and would also act as a park and ride station to be used by commuters to Leeds and Harrogate, boosting both economies. In addition it would remove cars from the highway network, in Leeds easing congestion issues in the north of the city and improving air quality.

Two other new stations are also proposed at White Rose Shopping Centre and Office Park to support retail, connectivity and employment and at Thorpe Park to support job creation and housing growth along the East Leeds Extension.

The new stations would be part-funded from the £173.5million of Department of Transport funding secured following the decision not to proceed with the New Generation Transport (NGT) trolleybus in May, with the funds needing to be invested in public transport before the end of 2021.

Support from West Yorkshire Combined Authority and private sector stakeholders increases the funding available to in excess of £270m for Leeds.