Thursday 14 May

Metro and Network Rail are inviting local residents to give their views on plans for a proposed new rail station at Apperley Bridge.

Staff from both organisations will be available to answer questions at the Greenwood Building, Woodhouse Grove School, Apperley Bridge on Friday 15 May between 2pm and 7pm, and on Saturday 16 May between 10am and 2pm.

300 parking spaces

Plans for the new station include a new access road off Apperley Lane leading to a 300-space car park, fully-accessible platforms with both staircases and ramps, CCTV surveillance and passenger 'Help Points', passenger information displays and public address system, secure cycle parking and modern waiting shelters.

Two trains per hour will call in each direction, between Leeds, Shipley and Bradford Forster Square.

The proposed station is a key component of Metro's plans to improve services between major centres in West Yorkshire and the wider City Region, by tackling congestion along a key corridor, expanding capacity across the network, improving access to work and leisure opportunities and improving journey reliability.

Environmental benefits

Because the proposed station is on an electrified line, there are also environmental benefits, as the potential for reduced CO₂ emissions from cars is not replaced by emissions from diesel trains.

"New stations and more park-and-ride facilities spaces will make the rail network more accessible and encourage more people to make business trips and commuter journeys by rail," said Metro Chairman Cllr Chris Greaves.

"Apperley Bridge, and its proposed sister station at Kirkstall Forge, will help reduce congestion on local roads by taking off commuter journeys between Leeds, Shipley and Bradford.

"And because electric trains - like the class 333 trains that pass through the site at the moment - will call at the station there will be reduced CO₂ emissions too, which is good for everyone.

"I remember the original station when I was a pupil at Woodhouse Grove, and I'm pleased that Metro has the opportunity to bring it back."

Driving force

Warrick Dent, area general manager for Network Rail, added: "This is an incredibly busy route and this new station is a vital part of our plans to continue to grow and develop the railways in Yorkshire.

"Metro has been a driving force in securing the funding for the station and we look forward to working with them to deliver the station which will be a valuable addition to the rail network."

Headmaster of Woodhouse Grove, David Humphreys said "We are delighted to lend our support to the proposed re-opening of the railway station at Apperley Bridge. Not only will it substantially reduce car traffic and congestion on the Harrogate Road at peak times but also on our school campus at drop off and pick up times. It will also make the school more accessible to staff and pupils who live further away in terms of commuting time and indeed reduce their transport costs considerably."

Priority

Metro submitted the Leeds Rail Growth package, a bid for Regional Funding Allocation, in July 2008 to help with the implementation of proposed new rail stations at Apperley Bridge and Kirkstall Forge together with car park extension schemes to tackle congestion within Leeds City Region. The scheme has been identified as a priority by the Regional Transport Board with an estimated total scheme cost of £16.74 million.

Subject to approval, the station could be opened in 2012.

You can follow the progress of the development in the 'Schemes under development' page in Projects & Plans on this site.