Metro has submitted a £23.24m bid to the Department for Transport for funding to improve train services in West Yorkshire.

New stations at Apperley Bridge and Kirkstall Forge, together with an additional 628 car park places across existing stations, form the Major Scheme Business Case submission.

The Business Case is the culmination of work which started in 2008, and follows on from consultation exercises for the two new stations earlier this year.

Almost £20m would come from the Regional Funding Allocation, while the rest would be made up of contributions from the Local Transport Plan and CEG, the developer of the Kirkstall Forge site.

"This proposal represents a tremendous opportunity to improve rail travel in West Yorkshire," said Metro Chairman, Cllr Ryk Downes. "The two proposed stations will take car traffic off the congested Leeds to Bradford commuter routes, and also reduce harmful CO2 emissions, as the two stations will be served by electric trains.

"And by expanding car parks at other stations, Metro is improving access to the rail network, making rail an attractive alternative to long-distance commuter car journeys."

Metro is the scheme promoter of the package and the package is developed with full support from key stakeholders including Network Rail, Northern, Leeds Council, Bradford Council and CEG.

Metro has submitted the Major Scheme Business Case (MSBC) to the Department for Transport (DfT), seeking combined Programme Entry and Conditional Approval for the Leeds City Region Rail Growth Package proposal. It is the culmination of development work on the project following the inclusion of the scheme on the Yorkshire and Humber RFA2 list, which was submitted to Ministers in February 2009.
The package will improve accessibility to the rail network in West Yorkshire, resulting in improved economic productivity and reductions in emissions, both objectives set out within Delivering a Sustainable Transport System (DaSTS).

Plans for the new station at Apperley Bridge 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.

Kirkstall Forge Rail Station, planned in association with the development of the Kirkstall Forge site by developers CEG, includes a 125-space car park, fully-accessible platforms with both staircases and lifts, CCTV surveillance and passenger 'Help Points', passenger information displays and public address system, secure cycle parking and modern waiting shelters.

Initially, it is proposed that two trains per hour will call in each direction at each station, between Leeds and Bradford Forster Square.
Subject to DfT approval in April 2010 and further design work, it is envisaged that the full package will be delivered by the end of 2012.