leeds station sustainable travel gateway

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Leeds Station – Sustainable Travel Gateway: Have Your Say

31 Jan 2020

Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority are asking commuters, businesses and residents for their views on proposed improvements to the main entrance to Leeds City Station and the surrounding area.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Council has submitted a bid to the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund for £39.5 million to support the ‘Sustainable Travel Gateway’ project, which would transform the Station’s main entrance and the surrounding area. This is part of a wider bid from partners across the Leeds City Region for up to £480 million.

If the bid is successful the Council and the Combined Authority will work with Network Rail to deliver the proposed works, which would significantly improve accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists. The improvements would also make it much easier for people using wheelchairs or pushchairs, and people with mobility issues, to move between the Station and the surrounding areas.

Works would include:

• Pedestrianisation of New Station Street and relocation of the existing taxi rank to Bishopgate Street.
• Improving accessibility through the installation of two passenger lifts from Bishopgate Street to the station entrance on New Station Street.
• Environmental improvements to Neville Street and Dark Neville Street including enhanced lighting, road surface and pavement treatments and urban art installations.
• Installing high quality cycle infrastructure on Neville Street, and improvements to cycling infrastructure in surrounding communities.
• A high quality 700-space cycle hub at the station, which will include electric charging points and will be the largest of its kind in the north of England.
• New commercial space to be built within the cycle hub curtilage.

Removing heavy traffic from outside the station will allow pedestrians and cyclists to travel directly into the city centre with ease. The installation of two passenger lifts will provide further options for step-free access from Bishopgate to the station entrance, instead of having to use the rear and side entrance which are the only current level-access options. This would be a significant improvement for people using wheelchairs or pushchairs.

The Council intends to submit a planning application for the works in early March, with an announcement on the Transforming Cities Fund bid due later that month.

If Planning Permission is granted and funding is secured, the works are likely to start later this year.

The works form part of the Leeds Integrated Station Masterplan – the Council’s vision to transform the Station into a world class hub at the heart of the UK’s rail network, accommodating current and future demand for rail travel and acting as a catalyst for wider regeneration in the south of the city centre.

Leader of Leeds City Council Councillor Judith Blake said:

“We are encouraging people to give their views on this proposal, which would create a welcoming and inviting gateway to Leeds for pedestrians and cyclists who use the Station and the surrounding area, and enhance its key role in the rail network across the North of England.

“If approved, the improvements will play a valuable role in supporting the growth of the city’s economy, helping to more effectively link the Station with the South Bank and the investment and job opportunities which will be created as we continue its regeneration.

“Along with offering a much better experience for all who currently use the station, the proposed works will complement and help to manage capacity issues and growing passenger demand, which will rise even further as we prepare to welcome major rail infrastructure improvements.”

Cllr Lisa Mulherin, Executive Member for Climate Change, Transport and Sustainable Development, said:

“The works will be an extremely positive step in encouraging people to change to more sustainable and active methods of travel to and from Leeds Station, such as walking and cycling.

“Reducing reliance on other modes of transport will also help reduce carbon emissions and support our efforts to tackle the climate emergency.

“It is important that we receive the views of as many people and businesses as possible so we can use these to help shape the works for the benefit of all who use the Station.”

Cllr Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee said:

“As one of the main gateways to the region and Yorkshire, we are pleased to support the proposed works at Leeds City Station, and the opportunity to help transform the way people travel to and from Leeds, and beyond.

“Making it easier for people to choose to travel sustainably and transforming the transport network is at the heart of our Transforming Cities Fund submission, and the huge opportunity a successful bid will bring to the region.”

Matt Rice, North & East Route Director at Network Rail, said:

“The bid for further redevelopment of Leeds City Station’s main entrance area, if successful, would bring lasting benefits to both the public and rail passengers and we support Leeds City Council in turning this vision into a reality. As commuters will have noticed, the entrance-way and façade have already undergone recent modernisation works befitting of the city and we are committed to creating a world-class transport hub that is fit for the future.”

How you can share your views:

You can share your views via West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Your Voice webpage: www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/LCS

Employees from Leeds City Council, WYCA and Network Rail will be available in the Station from 7am to 12pm on Monday 10, Wednesday 12 and Friday 14 February. Separate workshops will be held for local businesses.

You can also email any comments to [email protected]

For media enquiries:

Chris Oates, Leeds City Council Communications Team

Tel: 0113 3783439

Email: [email protected]

For media enquiries contact:

Leeds City Council Communications team [email protected]

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Here’s what Leeds City Railway Station will look like in 2025

The CGI photos showing what the railway station will look like when the work is finished makes it look like we’re in for a real transformation.

Since March 2023, the Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme moved to work on Leeds Train Station, now we’re six months in, with another two years of construction work ahead.

So what exactly is set to change during this time?

The proposed facelift will see the space outside the train station transition into a pedestrian-friendly space with additional cycle lanes and relocation of the taxi rank.

The plans form part of the the Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme, with a whopping £39.5 million investment dedicated to giving a refurb of the areas surrounding the station.

Initially it was reported that the work is expected to be completed in its entirety in early 2024, however Leeds City Council has now r eported that work is due to be complete by September 2025.

According to Leeds City Council, the new work on Leeds train station will include the following changes:

• Pedestrianising New Station Street, including the section which meets Boar Lane, with outdoor seating and rest areas, and landscaping 
• Relocating the existing taxi rank to Bishopgate Street where there will be a large and well-lit shelter and room for six vehicles, also allowing for kerb-side boarding which will help people with wheelchairs or assistance dogs to board more easily                                                                 
• Two 21-passenger lifts from Bishopgate Street to the station entrance on New Station Street, providing step-free access between the two streets.                                                                                                                                            
• A high quality cycle hub at the station, which will include electric charging points and storage for all types of cycles.                                                                                                    
• Environmental improvements to Neville Street and Dark Neville Street including enhanced lighting, road surface and pavement and elevation treatments.
• Installing high quality cycle infrastructure on Bishopgate Street and Neville Street, and improvements to cycling infrastructure in surrounding communities.

The plans are due to be fully completed by September 2025.

From May 2023,  the northern section of New Station Street from the station’s main entrance towards City Square will be closed to vehicles but pedrestrians will still be able to walk towards Boar Lane from the main entrance or northern entrance. During this time the taxi rank will begin its move to Princes Square. Currently Network Rail is liaising with  private hire and hackney carriage services with details of the arrangements.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Leeds City Rail Station is one of the busiest in the country – it’s a gateway to a vibrant city, as well as many destinations across our region and beyond. 

“Growing our economy, connecting more people with opportunities and tackling the climate emergency are at the heart of making West Yorkshire an even better place to live and work, and these improvements are key to that.”

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You can read more about the plans to develop the area surrounding Leeds train station, and the rest of the Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme here.

Feature Image- Leeds City Council

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Leeds Rail Station - Sustainable Travel Gateway

This engagement is now closed.

To view the consultation outcomes from Leeds City Council, please click here .

Below is the information presented during the public consultation:

We would like your views on our proposed improvements to leeds station’s entrance and the surrounding area ..

Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority have submitted a bid to the Department for Transport’s Transforming Cities Fund for £39.5 million to support the ‘Sustainable Travel Gateway’ project.

If the bid is successful the Council and the Combined Authority will work with Network Rail to deliver the proposed works, which would significantly improve accessibility for pedestrians and cyclists.

Improvements would include:

• Pedestrianisation of New Station Street and relocation of the existing taxi rank to Bishopgate Street.
• Improving accessibility through the installation of two passenger lifts from Bishopgate Street to the station entrance on New Station Street
• Environmental improvements to Neville Street and Dark Neville Street including enhanced lighting, road surface and pavement treatments and urban art installations
• Installing high quality cycle infrastructure on Neville Street, and improvements to cycling infrastructure in surrounding communities
• A high quality 700-space cycle hub with electric charging points at the station
• New commercial space to be built within the cycle hub land

Removing heavy traffic from outside the station will allow pedestrians and cyclists to travel directly into the city centre with ease. The installation of two passenger lifts will provide further options for step-free access from Bishopgate to the station entrance, instead of having to use the rear and side entrance which are the only current level-access options. This will significantly improve access for people using wheelchairs or pushchairs, and for people with mobility issues.

If planning permission is granted and funding is secured, the works are likely to start later this year.

Have your say

To help you understand the proposals, a number of concept drawings and a map of the works can be found using the ‘documents’ and 'Images' sections of this page, or at one of our public drop-in events. Members of staff will be available at these events to answer any questions you may have.

You can find out more and give us your comments in a number of ways:

• Online using the link below
• Via email: [email protected]
• By post: Freepost CONSULTATION TEAM (WYCA)
• Ask us a question using the Q&A tool below
• In person at one of our drop in events within Leeds Station on Monday 10, Wednesday 12 and Friday 14 February from 7am to 12pm.

Please contact us if you would like any information in large print or braille format.

You can also use the 'stay informed' tool to sign up to our mailing list for updates on the development of this project.

Additionally, you can register to be added to the Your Voice community where you will receive information on opportunities to have your say on a variety of projects.

Feedback will be analysed following this consultation and used to amend the plans where possible.

Do you have any questions? Ask them here....

If New Station Street is pedestrianised, what will happen to Leeds Police Station (British Transport Police), will it remain where it is or will it be relocated. Furthermore, there are designated emergency vehicle bays located on New Station Street outside the police station which can accommodate upto 6 police cars/vans. If New Station Street is pedestrianised, where will the police park their vehicles? The current parking arrangement allows police officers to access their vehicles very quickly during emergencies. I have often seen officers running out of the police station and almost immediately getting into the vehicles parked outside, and going on a blue light response. If the area is pedestrianised the police should get emergency vehicle bays on Bishopgate Street, in order to allow them to access their vehicles quickly. Any other location would hinder police response times. Leeds Police Station is responsible for policing all 68 rail stations in West Yorkshire, as well as tracks, depots, lines and other rail infrastructure. Officers often deploy to life and death situations such as people trespassing onto tracks, they should have priority and the right to have designated emergency bays in close proximity to the police station. The police parking bays should be prioritised over the taxi bays on Bishopgate Street.

The British Transport Police (BTP) offices will remain in their current location both during construction and post project completion.

There are currently two official parking bays on New Station Street for British Transport Police vehicles and these will be replicated in the new scheme.

BTP officers will also get fobs to be able to access the hostile vehicle mitigation bollards on the New Station Street / Boar Lane junction.

We are liaising with the Inspector at the station on all things relating to the project.

After 20 years of trying to be sustainable and using the bus to get to work in the employment area south of the station I have been forced by Leeds City Council, First and Metro to abandon that in favour of the car because the No 1 bus route (which used to be a good north-south service) now terminates at the Merrion centre and means a 20 minute walk to/from the bus/work in extreme wind (Bridgewater Place) and rain. First also used it as an excuse to reduce bus frequencies. What are you going to do to ensure that frequent transport routes through the city centre are re-established? There was no consultation about the termination of routes at the Merrion Centre and the response from Metro was that it "accepted that it would cause hardship" - unacceptable. It is absolutely vital that Leeds establishes some form of rapid transit system such as a tram or rapid bus transit to provide connections from the suburbs through the city centre. PS it now takes 25 minutes to drive instead of 1hour 15 minutes on the bus - which demonstrates that Leeds has got its priorities wrong - it should be ensuring good rapid public transport that beats private travel.

Thank you for your enquiry and please accept our apology for the delay in responding. We have contacted First buses, who have explained that they intend to restore routes including the No 1 to Beeston on completion of the works to The Headrow, while taking into account the phased service return post-COVID 19. As a city we are looking at a mass transit solution, which is at an early stage.

When will there be investment in public transport in West Yorkshire outside the greater Leeds area? I'm 55. Can I expect any in my lifetime? For every pound invested in public transport outside Leeds in the last five years, how many hundreds of pounds have been invested in greater Leeds? Then compare the population of the two areas and draw your own conclusions. Cheers.

Thank you for your enquiry and please accept our apology for the delay in responding.  The West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Strategy outlines proposals for investment and improvements in the region’s transport network up to 2040. It can be found at www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/improving-transport/transport-strategy/

Why are there no USB phone charging points on Leeds Ciuu TY Station Concourse? Passengers are encourage to buy mo ole tickets but if your phone is low or out of charge you can’t progress through the barriers. Trackside there are only phone charging points on Platform 8.

How are you going to help people with dementia orientate to the new space please a lady i am working with missed the chance to go to a drop in and i just got the dates which are all passed.

The design includes for new lighting and the removal of vehicular traffic on New Station Street. These changes contribute to creating a safer environment for all people, particularly people whose cognitive abilities mean they do not perceive risk easily. The paving surfaces will be selected to avoid any excessive contrasting patterns which could be a source of confusion for people with dementia. Similarly, New Station Street retains the familiar kerbed pathways which allow people to avoid the lower surface which will be shared with cyclists. 

Why don't they allow us to exit the station directly from Platform 9 any more? We used to be able to bypass the main barriers and hall during peak time as they allowed us to exit straight to New Station Street? This significantly cut congestion at peak times. In reality, there should be an additional exit from the station here designed as it doesn't make sense to come down the stairs, walk the full length of a platform to go through a barrier, only to double back on yourself!

Thank you for your feedback. This would be within Network Rail's remit and we will pass your feedback onto them.

Has there been any consideration given to making better use of the space underneath the train station that is currently used for car parking? I think there is a huge opportunity to convert this pace over to cycle parking and deliver something similar to what has been achieved at Utrecht station in the Netherlands. If a network of dedicated cycle paths were across the city that all led back to a giant cycle parking hub under the station, that would be a game changer for enabling sustainable commuting.

The proposed cycle hub developed as part of the scheme uses an area under the station which is currently unused. As part of the future development of the station Network Rail are actively looking at how other areas below the station can be brought into use in the future to support the vision to develop the station within the operational constraints that the space poses.

What is needed around the train station are shared spaces that every type of vehicle can use. Taking away road space from motor vehicles is not the answer, but I suppose that depends on what your real aim is. These proposals are going to increase the traffic on the surrounding roads, especially Bishopgate Street. How many people cycle to catch a train ?

The works at Bishopgate Street are part of a series of interventions throughout the city aimed at reducing the need for traffic to pass through the city centre on route to other destinations and upgrading pedestrian and cycling access, providing people with more choice in how to access the city centre. These interventions will improve connectivity between local motorway networks and Leeds Inner and Outer Ring Roads, providing alternative routing for vehicles not needing to access Leeds city centre. In addition, upgraded highway infrastructure, park and ride facilities and investment in public transport to improve service efficiency and reliability are all aimed at making public transport and alternative travel (cycling, walking etc.) more desirable options for people accessing the city for work and leisure and reducing the reliance on private vehicles.

Why doesn't LCC bite the bullet and move the bus station to the rail station and create a true interchange? It would be far more effective in improving travel in and around Leeds. It would be better than these proposed vanity projects.

Thanks for your feedback, and although we agree that relocating the bus station to immediately outside the station would be the ideal, unfortunately this is not possible due to a lack of sufficient land in the vicinity of the rail station.

These plans look interesting. Considering Neville street is a key cut through for much traffic, and Leeds city centre already being complicated to navigate, how will the flow of traffic be redistributed considering (if I understand correctly) bishopgate st will be mostly or entirely pedestrianised? I work in a business very close to this area and welcome any measures to cut down the volume of traffic in principle but depending on the wider impact to surrounding roads and businesses.

Outcome report.

• Leeds Rail Station: Engagement opens 31 January 2020
• Leeds Rail Station: Drop-in event at Leeds Rail Station. 7am - 12pm. 10 February 2020
• Leeds Rail Station: Drop-in event at Leeds Rail Station. 7am - 12pm. 12 February 2020
• Leeds Rail Station: Drop-in event at Leeds Rail Station. 7am - 12pm. 14 February 2020

• Why have you chosen this scheme to spend money on?
• What happens if you don’t get the funding?
• When would the works be completed?
• Why are you doing work to the front of the station when it has just been improved?
• Once development has commenced will access through the main entrance be affected?
• How will traffic be diverted once access through Bishopgate is closed?

Open (31 Jan - 11 March)

This engagement is open for contributions.

Under Review

Contributions to this engagement are closed for evaluation and review. The project team will report back on key outcomes.

Final report

The final outcomes of the engagement are documented here. This may include a summary of all contributions collected as well as recommendations for future action.

Who's Listening

Leeds City Council

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Next stage of Leeds City Rail Station transformation to get underway

The next stage in the transformation of Leeds City Rail Station’s main entrance and surrounding area begins in March.

The Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme will create a much-improved and more people-friendly environment which can accommodate growing rail passenger numbers, and ensure people can enter and exit the station safely.

A total of £46.1 million is being invested in the scheme, which is being delivered by Leeds City Council on behalf of Network Rail as the landowner, and in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

Advance works and preparations have been underway since last May, and major improvement work from early March will include:

• Pedestrianising New Station Street, including the section which meets Boar Lane, with outdoor seating and rest areas, and landscaping.                                                    
• Relocating the existing taxi rank to Bishopgate Street where there will be a large and well-lit shelter and room for six vehicles, also allowing for kerb-side boarding which will help people with wheelchairs or assistance dogs to board more easily.                                                                                                                                     
• Two 21-passenger lifts from Bishopgate Street to the station entrance on New Station Street, providing step-free access between the two streets.                                                                                                                                            
• A high quality cycle hub at the station, which will include electric charging points and storage for all types of cycles.                                                                                                    
• Environmental improvements to Neville Street and Dark Neville Street including enhanced lighting, road surface and pavement and elevation treatments.
• Installing high quality cycle infrastructure on Bishopgate Street and Neville Street, and improvements to cycling infrastructure in surrounding communities.

Since securing planning permission for the scheme, Leeds City Council and Network Rail have been working together to combine the Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme with a separate project which will see Network Rail reinforce the underground structure below New Station Street which supports much of the station above it.

Delivering the two schemes in tandem will mean less disruption in the long-term and also reduces the need to revisit the Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme at a later date if further works are required as part of Network Rail’s scheme.

What’s next

In May, as part of Network Rail’s scheme the taxi rank will be moving to Princes Square. Network Rail are currently liaising with private hire and hackney carriage services with details of the arrangements.

May will also see the northern section of New Station Street from the station’s main entrance towards City Square will be closed to vehicles (except service vehicles and emergency services) and pedestrians to allow paving works to be carried out. Pedestrians will still be able to walk towards Boar Lane from the main entrance, or use the station’s northern entrance.

The full programme of improvements including the Sustainable Travel Gateway Scheme and the Network Rail works is due to be completed by September 2025. Updates will be published at https://leedscitystation.commonplace.is/

Cllr James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, said: “We are delighted to begin these improvements in earnest, creating a gateway to our city that meets the current and future needs of everyone who uses the station.

“Our railway station plays a key role in the North of England’s rail connectivity, so it is vital that we provide a much better experience and capacity for station users as we prepare to welcome further investment in our region’s rail network including the Transpennine Route Upgrade and Northern Powerhouse Rail.”

Cllr Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for infrastructure and climate, said: “These works complement our ongoing transformation of City Square and will create a safer and people-friendly environment, not only improving access to the station but also building better links between the existing city centre and the wider South Bank.”

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Leeds City Rail Station is one of the busiest in the country – it’s a gateway to a vibrant city, as well as many destinations across our region and beyond. 

“Growing our economy, connecting more people with opportunities and tackling the climate emergency are at the heart of making West Yorkshire an even better place to live and work, and these improvements are key to that.”

Matt Rice, North and East Route Director for Network Rail, said: “It is fantastic to see that the next stage of this transformation to the front of Leeds station will get underway next month, and we are pleased to be working in partnership with Leeds City Council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority on this scheme.

“There is a huge amount of investment going into the railway both in Leeds and across the whole of the North at the moment, this scheme included. Transforming Leeds station with accessibility improvements and a better cycling infrastructure will be great for everyone who uses the station, and delivering the two schemes together will reduce any impact on passengers.”

The works are being delivered through the Combined Authority’s Transforming Cities Fund programme, which is aimed at making it easier for people to walk, cycle and use public transport.

The works are the first stage in the Leeds Integrated Station Masterplan – the vision of Leeds City Council, Network Rail, the Combined Authority and partners to transform the Station into a world class hub at the heart of the UK’s rail network, accommodating current and future demand for rail travel and acting as a catalyst for wider regeneration in the south of the city centre.

Photo credit: Leeds City Council

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Leeds City Magazine

Leeds City Station: laying the foundations for New Year construction

Leeds City Station is undergoing a major transformation with the Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme, which includes the construction of a new cycle hub, elevators, and improved pedestrian access. The project reflects Leeds’ commitment to sustainability and enhancing the commuter experience, marking a leap towards modernized urban mobility and reinforcing the station’s subterranean architecture.

What is the Leeds City Station Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme?

The Leeds City Station Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme is a major infrastructure project aimed at modernizing urban mobility in Leeds. It includes constructing a new cycle hub, installing elevators, and improving pedestrian access to create a safer and more convenient gateway to the city center. The project underscores Leeds’ commitment to sustainability and enhancing the commuter experience.

Transformation Milestone at Leeds City Station

Transportation is the lifeblood of a city, and the latest developments at Leeds City Station signify more than just a cosmetic change – they mark a leap towards modernized urban mobility. The station’s main entrance is undergoing a significant transformation, with surrounding demolition works drawing to a close and the next phase of construction poised to commence with the advent of the new year. This initiative, known as the Leeds City Station Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme, dovetails with Network Rail’s crucial maintenance efforts aimed at reinforcing the station’s subterranean architecture.

Leeds City Station, a hub that has been servient to the city’s transit needs since its inception, is now set to embrace a future where sustainability and commuter convenience are paramount. The station’s transformation is a testament to the city’s commitment to progress and modern infrastructure. The area that previously housed the cycle hub and the familiar rotunda steps has been cleared, paving the way for the removal of iron beams – each a testament to industrial strength – to facilitate access to the historical Mill Goit below.

Anticipating a New Era of Commuter Experience

The impending piling works are instrumental in repurposing the Mill Goit, which will be the site of the new state-of-the-art cycle hub. This marks a significant step forward in the broader construction project, which includes the installation of two elevators connecting New Station Street with Bishopgate Street and the inception of pedestrian-friendly improvements. These enhancements are critical in crafting a gateway to the city center that prioritizes the needs of the people and harmonizes with the city’s architectural heritage.

Leeds City Council, the conductor of this symphony of urban improvements, is executing the scheme on behalf of Network Rail, the steward of the land. The scheme enjoys financial propulsion from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transforming Cities Fund program, an initiative designed to simplify access to walking, cycling, and public transportation. Collaborative efforts with the constructor partner Balfour Beatty have been vital in progressing towards this milestone, as stakeholders recently observed firsthand during a guided tour of the ongoing works.

Councillor Helen Hayden, whose portfolio includes infrastructure and sustainable development, has expressed her admiration for the scale of the task and the anticipated benefits for the community. The project aligns closely with her vision of a safer, more inviting nexus linking the station to the heart of Leeds and beyond. Mayor Tracy Brabin echoes this sentiment, recognizing the station’s pivotal role in the national rail network and the city’s economic and environmental future.

Engineering the Sustainable Travel Gateway

The Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme is more than an engineering feat; it represents a pledge to the future of transit in Leeds. Network Rail is seizing this historic opportunity to shine a light on a forgotten chapter of the city’s past, transforming the Mill Goit into an accessible and eco-friendly passage for passengers. This project is part of a series of enhancements destined to enrich the rail traveling experience for years to come.

Paul Buchanan from Balfour Beatty marks the completion of demolition as a prelude to the main construction phase. His team’s collaboration with the council, Network Rail, and the Combined Authority embodies a shared vision of connectivity and vibrant urban life. The scheme aspires to enhance the commuter environment, facilitating safe and efficient station access for an ever-increasing passenger demographic.

The envisioned improvements are comprehensive, touching every aspect of the commuter’s journey. New Station Street will evolve into a pedestrian plaza, complete with seating and landscaping, fostering a community atmosphere. The relocation of the taxi rank to Bishopgate Street will include provisions for those requiring additional assistance, such as wheelchair users and individuals with assistance dogs. Enhanced access, including 21-passenger lifts and a modern cycle hub equipped with electric charging points, will cater to the diverse needs of the city’s residents and visitors.

Additional environmental upgrades to Neville Street and Dark Neville Street will see improved lighting and road surfaces, ensuring safer transit routes for pedestrians and cyclists alike. With a portion of the work on Neville Street already completed, the continued progress on the west side and Dark Neville Street is well underway. These efforts are set to culminate in a seamlessly integrated cycle infrastructure that weaves through Bishopgate Street and Neville Street, further solidifying Leeds’ commitment to sustainable urban development.

For more information on the transformative efforts at Leeds City Station and the Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme, interested parties can access further details here .

The synthesis of historical reverence, modern engineering, and community-centric planning promises to redefine Leeds City Station as a beacon of urban transformation. As 2025 approaches, the city anticipates the completion of this ambitious project, signaling a new chapter in Leeds’ rich history of innovation and growth.

• The Leeds City Station Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme is a major infrastructure project aimed at modernizing urban mobility in Leeds.
• The project includes constructing a new cycle hub, installing elevators, and improving pedestrian access to create a safer and more convenient gateway to the city center.
• The transformation of Leeds City Station reflects the city’s commitment to sustainability and enhancing the commuter experience.
• The project involves repurposing the Mill Goit, creating a state-of-the-art cycle hub, installing elevators, and implementing pedestrian-friendly improvements.
• The scheme is funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transforming Cities Fund program and is being executed by Leeds City Council in collaboration with Network Rail and constructor partner Balfour Beatty.

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£46m Leeds City Rail Station transformation to create “attractive gateway” to city

Major improvements to Leeds City Rail Station’s main entrance and surrounding area begin next week, and visitors are being encouraged to consider how these changes will affect their journey to and from the station.

The changes come as works start on the Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme, which will create a much improved and more people-friendly environment that can accommodate growing rail passenger numbers and ensure people can enter and exit the station safely.

The £46.1m scheme is being delivered by Leeds City Council on behalf of Network Rail as the landowner, and in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Advance works and preparations have been underway since last May with the project now moving into the next phase, which is due to be completed in September 2025.

At the same time, the closure of New Station Street is necessary to allow Network Rail to carry out essential maintenance work to reinforce the Mill Goit underground structure beneath the street which supports much of the station above it.

Delivering the two schemes in tandem will lead to less disruption in the long-term and provide value for money, as there will be less need to revisit the Sustainable Travel Gateway Scheme later if further works are required as part of Network Rail’s scheme.

Following the changes to roads around City Square, private vehicles can no longer drive to Princes Square from Bishopgate Street and along Wellington Street in front of the Queens Hotel. Motorists travelling to the station should do so via the eastern end of Wellington Street before turning right onto Northern Street and left onto Whitehall Road which then becomes Aire Street.

Councillor Helen Hayden, executive member for infrastructure and climate, commented: “These works will transform the area into a more attractive gateway to our city which meets the current and future needs of Leeds and everyone that uses the station, and alongside City Square will provide a cleaner and safer pedestrian environment.

“We understand that changes of this scale will cause disruption and people may need time to adjust to them. We encourage people to consider how these changes may affect their journeys and to plan ahead to keep any disruption to a minimum.”

Maxine Joicey, station customer experience manager, added: “These two crucial projects to further enhance Leeds Station are great news for the city.

“We’re working closely with our partners, in particular Leeds City Council, to make sure the relocation of the taxis to Princes Square will be clearly communicated both in the station and online to passengers, businesses and the general public so that planning journeys to and from the station remain as simple and smooth as possible.”

By Matthew Neville – Senior Correspondent, Bdaily

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News on Leeds City Rail Station

Transforming leeds city rail station: next stage of works begins.

The next stage in the transformation of Leeds City Rail Station’s main entrance and surrounding area has begun.

Major improvement works began in March following advanced works and preparations which began last May.

Since securing planning permission for the scheme, Leeds City Council and Network Rail have been working together to combine the Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme with a separate project which will see Network Rail reinforce the underground structure below New Station Street. This supports much of the station above it.

Delivering the two schemes in tandem will mean less disruption in the long-term and also reduces the need to revisit the Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme at a later date if further works are required as part of Network Rail's scheme.

What's next

In May, as part of Network Rail's scheme the taxi rank currently on New Station Street will be moving to Princes Square. Network Rail are currently liaising with private hire and hackney carriage services with details of the arrangements.

May will also see the northern section of New Station Street from the station's main entrance towards City Square closed to pedestrians and vehicles (except service vehicles and emergency services) to allow paving works to be carried out. This will mean pedestrians will only be able to access Boar Lane from the station's main entrance by turning right, or by using the station's northern entrance.

The full programme of improvements including the Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme and the Network Rail works is due to be completed by September 2025. Updates will be published at https://leedscitystation.commonplace.is/

Posted on 16th March 2023

by Chris Oates

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Why Network Rail is breathing new life into an historic mill beneath Leeds station

24 May, 2023 By Rob Hakimian

Engineers have commenced work on the £46.1M Leeds Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme that will see the historic Mill Goit at Leeds Station turned into a cycle hub and the 19 th century road structure renewed.

Leeds City Station was originally Leeds New Station, built atop the River Aire in 1869. The Mill Goit was a man-made channel off the river that took the stream to power a nearby mill. When the station was constructed, New Station Street, which runs along the entrance, was built as a bridge over the top of the Mill Goit. The Mill Goit still exists under New Station Street, but has long since run dry.

Cross section of New Station Street showing Mill Goit beneath

With a significant investment from the government’s Transforming Cities Fund, the entrance to Leeds station will be turned into an accessible and active-travel-ready gateway. This Atkins-designed scheme will involve introducing new access to the Mill Goit beneath the station and converting it into a cycle hub with space for around 600 bicycles. A new public space will be built above it, with stairways and a pair of 21-person capacity elevators taking passengers up from the lower Bishopsgate Street to station level.

However, the beams across the Mill Goit, which support the road outside Leeds Station, mostly date back to that original 19 th century construction. “When we last did the assessment, we found that the beams weren’t sufficient to take the loads anymore,” Network Rail senior asset engineer Tim Brunt said. The opportunity to renew the beams while building the new gateway has been seized upon by Network Rail, which has provided £10M towards the project for the road renewal.

Network Rail’s road renewal job and the Transforming Cities Fund scheme for the new gateway have now been rolled into one integrated project, to be delivered by Balfour Beatty working for Leeds City Council on behalf of Network Rail and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

It is a complex project as the 18-platform station and the Pret A Manger on the forecourt must remain operational throughout, while the Grade-II listed Queens Hotel shares a party wall with the Mill Goit and cannot be affected by the works.

The first job is reaching the beams that span the Mill Goit and support the road. “When we looked into it, the most cost-effective solution, rather than replacing the odd beam, was to take down all the beams and the deck and reconstruct it from above,” Brunt said. This will involve stripping away the road surface and excavating more than 1m to reach the deck with the beams beneath.

The next stage is to remove the existing beams. “There’s some sizable beams in there and there’s different makeups,” Brunt said. “There’s various beams that have been added over the years, but they’re circa 150 years old, some of them.”

New 13m-long steel beams will be inserted at 2.7m intervals across the Mill Goit, renewing the structure but bringing it up to modern standards. “The solution that we came up with is the replacement of the beams for the majority of the Mill Goit, which includes reconstructing about 50% of the top of the abutments with concrete blocks,” explained Network Rail senior asset protection engineer Teresa Pywell.

Mill Goit plan at deck beam level. Red are new beams, blue are retained beams

Pywell is part of Network Rail’s Asset Protection and Optimisation (Aspro) team and ensures that heritage is respected in projects such as this. In this instance, the Grade-II listed Queens Hotel is adjacent to the station and the Mill Goit, so interfaces with the project. Pywell explained that the wall of the Queens Hotel is currently part of the abutment for the beams under the road. However it is thin and not structurally sound enough to support the new beams, so a different method was devised for this section of the road renewal. “We’ve introduced an additional pier next to the listed structure that the beams can be supported from,” she said.

The Pret A Manger on the forecourt sits atop the beams in the western end of the Mill Goit, meaning that these cannot be removed without closing the shop for some time, which the engineers plan to avoid. Instead of removing the old beams beneath the shop, they will remain with additional support. “Beneath the entrance to the Pret A Manger shop and supporting the beams that are staying in situ, we’re infilling with foamed concrete so we can retain those beams and have as little disruption as possible,” Pywell explained.

Some piling will also be done to support the additional retaining wall and reduce the load on the listed building.

Then the whole process will be done in reverse to bring the road back into operation. “The piers are built back up, we put the new beams in and then there’s a new deck cast over the top,” Brunt said. “The services that are in there will be put back in a slightly different arrangement that makes more sense with the new deck, and then we put the road surface in bit by bit to match the Transforming Cities Fund scheme.”

It will take around 18 months for the beam renewals and restoring the road, with the target for completion as autumn 2024. “We are putting the road back to the new Transforming Cities Fund design, rather than what it is today,” Brunt said. “That integration is why it’s taking probably longer than it normally would.”

The Transforming Cities Fund section of the project, which will fit out the Mill Goit as a cycle hub, provide lifts and stairs up from the lower level to the entrance and see the road outside the station pedestrianised, will complete in summer 2025.

The timeline should be more than enough to complete the project, but engineers are wary of unforeseen issues, especially with the logistics. “As you’d imagine, in the middle of Leeds, just outside the station, it’s a really constrained site. So, in terms of getting cranage in, it is complicated,” Pywell said.

Mill Goit level plan

Overview of the complete development. Mill Goit is beneath the lower section.

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New nasa strategy envisions sustainable future for space operations.

Tiernan P. Doyle

Nasa headquarters.

To address a rapidly changing space operating environment and ensure its preservation for generations to come, NASA released the first part of its integrated Space Sustainability Strategy, on Tuesday advancing the agency’s role as a global leader on this crucial issue.

“The release of this strategy marks true progress for NASA on space sustainability,” said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy. “Space is busy – and only getting busier. If we want to make sure that critical parts of space are preserved so that our children and grandchildren can continue to use them for the benefit of humanity, the time to act is now. NASA is making sure that we’re aligning our resources to support sustainable activity for us and for all.”

For decades, NASA has served as a proactive leader for responsible and sustainable space operations. Entities across the agency develop best practices, analytic tools, and technologies widely adopted by operators around the world. The new strategy seeks to integrate those efforts through a whole-of-agency approach – allowing NASA to focus its resources on the most pressing issues. To facilitate that integration, NASA will appoint a new director of space sustainability to coordinate activities across the agency.

Key aspects of our approach include providing global leadership in space sustainability, supporting equitable access to space, and ensuring NASA’s missions and operations enhance space sustainability. 

Space environments currently are seeing the rapid emergence of commercial capabilities, many of them championed by NASA. These capabilities include increased low Earth orbit satellite activity and plans for the use of satellite constellations, autonomous spacecraft, and commercial space destinations. However, this increased activity also has generated challenges, such as an operating environment more crowded with spacecraft and increased debris. Understanding the risks and benefits associated with this growth is crucial for space sustainability. 

Developed under the leadership of a crossagency advisory board, the space sustainability strategy focuses on advancements NASA can make toward measuring and assessing space sustainability in Earth orbit, identifying cost-effective ways to meet sustainability targets, incentivizing the adoption of sustainable practices through technology and policy development, and increasing efforts to share and receive information with the rest of the global space community.

NASA’s approach to space sustainability recognizes four operational domains: Earth, Earth orbit, the orbital area near and around the Moon known as cislunar space, and deep space, including other celestial bodies. The first volume of the strategy focuses on sustainability in Earth orbit. NASA plans to produce additional volumes focusing on the other domains.

Learn more about the Space Sustainability Strategy at:

https://www.nasa.gov/spacesustainability

Amber Jacobson / Rob Margetta Headquarters, Washington 202-358-1600 [email protected] / [email protected]

Related Terms

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