James BovingtonPassengers travelling through Leeds railway station are set to benefit from a major transformation following a recently announced £200 million government investment.
The funding, announced in the Budget, brings the total investment to more than £300 million, with improvements expected to be completed by 2030.
The plans aim to reduce overcrowding, improve accessibility and make journeys easier for millions of passengers, including those travelling from East Leeds.
Improvements will include a new central overbridge, three new entrances, larger concourses and an extended Platform 14 to accommodate longer services east of Leeds.
The station will also receive nearly 40% more ticket barriers and increased lift capacity, helping passengers move through the building more quickly.
New entrances will improve connections between the station and the city centre, including the South Bank, Dark Arches and Princes Square.
Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said: “Leeds station is the gateway to West Yorkshire, and this extra £200 million investment will turn it into a station this city can be proud of: modern, welcoming and built for the people who rely on it every single day.”
Leeds station currently handles more than 27 million passengers annually, making it the UK’s third busiest station outside London.
Around eight in ten rail services across West Yorkshire begin or end there, highlighting its importance to the region’s transport network.
Passenger numbers are expected to increase by almost 12 million annually by 2043, placing further pressure on the station’s existing facilities.
The investment will also support the £11 billion Transpennine Route Upgrade, which aims to increase passenger capacity by 30% and electrify key northern routes.
These improvements are expected to support economic growth, jobs and new housing across West Yorkshire.
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin welcomed the announcement, highlighting the station’s importance to residents and businesses.
She said: “This investment will benefit passengers and businesses, help to unlock the capacity we need for future growth and create a gateway to West Yorkshire that reflects our ambition.”
The announcement follows government confirmation of plans for a new railway station at Bradford Interchange.
Together, the projects will support Northern Powerhouse Rail, which aims to deliver faster, more frequent connections between major northern cities.
The longer-term ambition is to create a railway where trains run frequently enough that passengers can travel without checking timetables beforehand.
For East Leeds passengers, the planned extension of Platform 14 is particularly relevant, allowing the station to accommodate longer services travelling east of the city.
The wider improvements aim to make Leeds station more accessible, less congested and better equipped to meet growing demand.
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