Plans to build a new railway station at Apperley Bridge and introduce extra carriages to cope with the increasing numbers of passengers are on track.

The outline design for the Apperley Bridge Station, and another station on the Airedale and Wharfedale Lines, at Kirkstall Forge, is now complete, says a Passenger Transport Executive report.

The same report says “much needed increases in capacity” are on the way as the Department for Trans-port (DfT) proceeds with the first phase of a scheme to provide additional carriages for the region.

Transport officers prepared the report for West Yorkshire Integrated Trans-port Authority’s Bradford Passenger Consultative Committee last week.

Metro, the West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Autho-rity, plans to build the Apperley Bridge and Kirkstall Forge stations in partnership with operator Northern Rail and Network Rail.

The outline design for the stations has gone before Network Rail for approval.

A 300-space car park and secure cycle parking are also planned.

The report said it is envisaged the planning applications will be submitted this autumn. Metro is also planning to build a Horsforth Woodside station, on the Harrogate Line after 2014.