Metro Leeds City Council and Network Rail are working in partnership on a master plan that will determine the future of rail transport across Leeds, West Yorkshire and the City Region.

Working with local business leaders the three organisations are pooling their resources through a Joint Programme Board that will take forward plans to secure the best possible infrastructure, train services and facilities for the city's train users.

Fresh vision

This will include setting a fresh vision for Leeds Station, which is the UK's third busiest outside London, used by over 100,000 people every day.

As well as ensuring the delivery of Metro's scheme for a new southern entrance for the station, which received Department for Transport approval in 2011, the Board will ensure that Leeds remains fundamental in Network Rail's future plans for the rail network.

The joint-working approach comes in the light of the Government's recent confirmation of plans for a high-speed rail link between London and Birmingham and its extension to Leeds and Manchester. The Board will also work on how to best capitalise on the recently-confirmed electrification of the trans-Pennine rail route between Leeds, Manchester, Yorks, Liverpool and the north east. Leeds City Council Chief Executive Tom Riordan will chair the board.

Firmly focused

Partnership Board member and Metro Director General Kieran Preston said, "Firmly focused on improving the travel experience for rail passengers in Leeds, the new board complements the work we are doing to improve rail services for the Leeds City Region and across the North of England."

Speaking to TheBusinessDesk.com Tom Riordan said, "We are continuing with the investment in the southern entrance to the station but we need to look at the whole master plan for the station and that area to make sure it is delivering that compelling entrance to Leeds."

"By joining forces with Network Rail and Metro we are in a stronger position to both understand how Leeds can capitalise on its rail links and to lobby more powerfully for the best rail deal we can for the city region," said Cllr Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council's Executive Member for Development.

Network Rail's Route Managing Director Phil Verster said, "Plans such as the northern hub demonstrate that Network Rail is committed to driving economic growth through improving the railways across the north. Working with partners in Leeds we will seek to make sure we deliver the best possible service for rail passengers in the city and the wider region."

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