Construction work has started on the new £26.5m White Rose Rail Station in Leeds.
The scheme is being led by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) and Munroe K, which owns and operates White Rose Park, in partnership with Leeds City Council Network Rail and the Department for Transport (DfT).
The WYCA said that alongside a fully accessible station with cycle storage next to the White Rose Office Park, the scheme also includes better walking and cycling routes between Cottingley, Churwell and Millshaw, as well as the White Rose Shopping Centre and the bus interchange.
However, the new station, which is being built between Morley and Cotttingley stations on the Transpennine route, is likely to mean the closure of the station at nearby Cottingley.
The WYCA said it will not be possible to maintain the same level of service at both Cottingley and White Rose because they are too close together (800 metres) for trains to be able to stop at both stations.
An application has been submitted to the Office of Rail and Road to close Cottingley station.
Tracy Brabin, mayor of West Yorkshire, said: ‘Growing our economy is a key priority, but we are very clear that growth need to benefit everyone in our region.
‘To achieve this, we need a reliable and efficient transport system, which is why I am pleased to see work start on our new, fully accessible rail station at White Rose.'
Paul McKeown, investment director for Network Rail’s Eastern Region, said: ‘As more people return to the railway, it’s essential that we continue to support schemes that connect people to new places and open up opportunities for work and leisure.’
The scheme will be funded by the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme and £5m from the DfT’s New Stations Fund, as well as contributions from Munroe K.
Construction work is expected to continue into early 2023.
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