Metro has welcomed the news that Network Rail is backing its idea for a Southern Entrance to Leeds City Station.

Metro drew up the original proposal, with a ticket office, barriers and a lift and then remodelled it slightly to fit in with the plans to redevelop the Granary Wharf area.

"With all the development taking place in the Holbeck area, along the waterfront and at Bridgewater Place, Metro recognised the need for a new entrance to the station and included it in its five-year Local Transport Plan, published in March 2006," said Metro's Director General Kieran Preston.

"We welcomed the news therefore last month when Network Rail announced last month that it had earmarked £600,000 for the scheme and look forward to working closely now with Network Rail to take the detailed funding bids forward to the Department for Transport so that they can be realised," he added.

Mr Preston also welcomed news that Network Rail has committed £1.4m for detailed design work on its proposals to redevelop Wakefield Westgate station, which includes two new platforms and the lengthening of the existing one, a new footbridge and a range of other improvements.

"Redeveloping Wakefield Westgate will provide additional capacity for more local trains to stop without interfering with main line services and provide vitality to projects in the area of the station," he said.