A NEW railway station serving Leeds Bradford Airport is part of £270 million proposals to transform transport in Leeds, it has been announced today.

Details of the airport parkway station have been revealed ahead of the release of a new transport strategy by Leeds Council, which the leader has described as a "transformational step change for public transport".

It would be built on the existing Leeds to Harrogate line, connecting to the wider rail network and would also act as a park and ride station to be used by commuters to Leeds and Harrogate.

Two other new stations are also included in the proposals, at the White Rose Shopping Centre and Office Park and at Thorpe Park.

The new stations would be part-funded by the £173.5 million of Department of Transport funding secured following the Government's rejection of the Leeds trolleybus scheme in May.

Further funding from West Yorkshire Combined Authority and private sector stakeholders brings the cash to more than £270m.

Cllr Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: “We support the proposal for a parkway station to the airport as improving transport links to the airport are vital for the region’s future economic growth.

“Securing a Bradford stop on the northern powerhouse rail line, which Leeds support, will massively enhance this proposal by shortening journey times to the airport further and projects like this further emphasise the importance of Bradford getting off the branch line once and for all.”

Leader of Leeds Council, Councillor Judith Blake, said: "Through the transport conversation we have been given a clear message that people want improvements to be made to benefit all areas of the city as soon as possible, not in another 10 or 15 years’ time but now. I am very pleased to say that everything we are putting forward in this plan is deliverable in the short to medium term.

“Providing a connection by rail to the airport has long been an ambition for the city and this plan will deliver it in a cost-effective way, along with two other new stations at the White Rose Shopping Centre and Thorpe Park to help drive forward job creation, productivity and economic growth. These plans all fit with the Department of Transport request that we invest the £173.5million in public transport improvements before the end of 2021, and I am delighted that together with additional funding proposed by stakeholders and private partners we can now do even more to improve transport in our city and make a real difference.”

The new strategy is in response to the findings of consultation on transport issues which saw more than 8,000 people taking part in a recent survey.

John Parkin, Leeds Bradford Airport chief executive, said: “This announcement is fantastic news for the millions of passengers who travel to and from Leeds Bradford Airport each year. As one of the country’s fastest growing regional airports, it is vital that we give passengers more choice about how they are able to get here. Investing in the public transport network in this way will enable people to travel to and from the airport easily, as well as create jobs and help to ease road congestion in the area.

"We’re pleased that steps are being taken to implement this transformational project and we look forward to seeing it progress.”

Other improvements proposed for the rail network in Leeds would see access enhanced at Cross Gates, Morley and Horsforth stations and car park expansion at New Pudsey to increase its park and ride capacity.

The full proposals will be released tomorrow and are to be considered by senior councillors at next week’s executive board meeting on December 14. If approved they will then be considered by the Department of Transport.

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