Leeds Station is the second busiest station outside London. It is owned and managed by Network Rail. The area to the south of the station has seen substantial growth and regeneration over the past 10 years.

Major new office accommodation such as Bridgewater Place has been created, as well as new residential leisure facilities including the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel. The new developments have created demand for a new entrance from the railway station linking directly with the new developments to the south of Leeds. Up to 20% of Leeds Rail station passengers would benefit from the new entrance.

The Leeds Station Southern Entrance scheme comprises a concourse deck over the River Aire within a visually iconic enclosed building. Open link span bridges will provide direct stepped access from this concourse to the east and west banks of the river.

The concourse also extends back through the span of the station viaduct to link with a further bridge running parallel to Dark Neville Street and this access point provides step free access. From the concourse, access to the station footbridge is provided by steps, escalators and a lift. At the station footbridge level the widened bridge provides an upper concourse with customer information screens, potential ticket office, ticket vending machines and automated ticket barriers.

The project is commonly referred to as 'Leeds Station Southern Entrance' or 'LSSE'.

LSSE is jointly promoted by Metro and Network Rail. The £15.9m scheme has secured £12.2m from DfT as well as funding from West Yorkshire's Local Transport Plan and Leeds City Council. Once built, the asset will be owned by Network Rail.

An outline design (GRIP 4) was completed in May 2009 and Full Planning Permission was granted in May 2010.

The Leeds Railway Station (Southern Entrance) Order is the formal title of the Transport and Works Act Order Submission.

The Public Inquiry into the Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO) application, which will give Metro and Network Rail (the Promoters) the necessary powers to construct LSSE, commenced on 27 November 2012 at Bewley’s Hotel in Leeds and closed on 6 December 2012. The purpose of the Inquiry was to hear the case from the Promoters and Objectors to help inform the Secretary’s decision. The Secretary of State appointed an Inspector who ran the Inquiry and will produce a report with his recommendations.

The final decision by the Secretary of State is expected in July 2013. Until that point, the outcome of the Inquiry cannot be known. Construction can only commence subject to a positive decision from the Secretary of State. Once the decision is published, it will be available to view on the LSSE website.

If you have any questions or would like further information regarding this project please email lsse@wypte.gov.uk. You can also read the following:

- The Leeds Railway Station (Southern Entrance) Order

- Frequently Asked Questions about LSSE

- LSSE Documents