Full steam ahead for immediate revamp of Leeds Station and surrounding area

A deep clean of the underside of Swinegate Bridge, one of the city’s busiest gateways, has been completed as part of efforts to transform Leeds Station and the surrounding area.

Leeds City Council, Leeds Bid and Network Rail are working together to kick-start the transformation of the station into a world class gateway to the north.

Over the next 20 years, major changes will take place to the station to incorporate both HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail projects. In preparation for the delivery of the Leeds Integrated Station Masterplan, a series of immediate interventions have taken place over the past 12 months to upgrade the existing environment for passengers.

The station is a gateway of the city and is often the first impression visitors have of Leeds, so upkeep of the area is crucial. Together Leeds City Council, Leeds Bid and Network Rail created a forward programme consisting of a number of early deliverable schemes which will be designed, developed and delivered in partnership. A number of projects are currently underway which include:

• Enhancements to Leeds Station’s immediate surroundings at Swinegate & Mill Hill have been taking place over the past 3 months. Collaborative work between Network Rail and Leeds City Council has seen the underneath of Swinegate Bridge transform after a 4-week deep clean. Other projects include art installations in public spaces, resurfacing of the carriageway and parts of the footway, replacement of the signals equipment, revamping the street furniture and improved wayfinding.

• New Station Street Improvement Works which will improve pedestrian access to the station delivered in partnership between Leeds City Council, Network Rail and West Yorkshire Combined Authority. The proposed changes should make a big improvement to the environment outside the main entrance, making it more spacious, more inviting and easier to use for bus passengers and pedestrians. The facilities for taxis, cycle access and the bus services using the stops will remain the same.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said:

“Leeds Station is the busiest transport hub in the north with 31 million passengers, and those numbers are projected to more than double by over 135% over the next 30 years with the HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail projects. We recognise the importance of not waiting for the projects to be fully delivered before improving the experience of passengers, which is why we are working with Network Rail and Leeds Bid to achieve our shared goal of uplifting Leeds Station and the surrounding areas. The work that has been completed so far is already making a great deal of difference and I look forward to seeing more positive change.”

Notes to editors:

The Leeds Integrated Station Masterplan will ensure there is a fully-integrated, modern station in Leeds in order to maximise the potential of high speed rail. More information about the plans can be found here: https://news.leeds.gov.uk/councillors-endorse-transformational-hs2-plans-for-leeds-station/

For media enquiries:

Leeds City Council communications and marketing team

Tel: 0113 378 6007

Email: communicationsteam@leeds.gov.uk