12 December 2011

Metro, in partnership with Network Rail, Northern Rail and Commercial Estates Group (CEG) is planning to build a new rail station at Kirkstall Forge. The proposed station site on the busiest stretch of the Airedale and Wharfedale rail lines between Leeds and Shipley is located adjacent to the former Kirkstall Forge industrial site off the A65, 3 miles Northwest of Leeds City Centre. Access to the station will be created through the planned CEG regeneration proposal site which has outline planning permission.

Proposals for the twin platform rail station include:

• Pickup/drop off point and approximately 120-space station car park.
• Fully-accessible platforms with staircase and lifts.
• CCTV surveillance.
• Passenger information displays and public address system.
• Secure cycle parking.
• Modern waiting shelters.

Access

Vehicular and pedestrian access will be via the roads leading from the proposed signalised junctions on the A65. CEG are in discussion with local bus operators about how the Kirkstall Forge site and rail station might be served.

The planning application for the new rail station was approved by Leeds City Council on 18 June 2010.

Funding

Funding approval was granted in the Chancellor's 2011 Autumn Statement for the Rail Growth Package, which comprises two new rail stations at Kirkstall Forge and Apperley Bridge. The Department for Transport has approved £10.3m towards the £16.9m scheme. The remaining 40% of the cost is made up of a local funding contribution which includes a private sector contribution of over £5m, supplemented by Metro funding.

Subject to further technical work, it is envisaged that Full Approval will be granted to the project in Summer 2013, with construction commencing shortly thereafter. The stations are planned to be open by December 2014.

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