FAQs

Calderdale is being transformed.  Calderdale Council’s aspiration is to grow the economy, reduce inequality and build a sustainable future.

Elland station and the wider access package have been identified as one investment that will improve the transport network in Calderdale, improve connectivity across Elland, and support local business.  Funding for the Elland Access Package (including Elland rail station) has been identified through the West Yorkshire ‘Plus’ Transport Fund which aims to further growth by improving the City Region’s roads and railways, connecting people to jobs, and transporting goods to markets.

Elland station and wider access package are jointly managed by Calderdale Council, who are developing the wider access package, and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority who are developing Elland rail station.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority have appointed a development partner to progress the design options for a proposed new rail station at Elland on the Calder Valley line.  The Outline Business Case including technical and business works will be completed by the end of 2018.

Three locations have been considered including the proposed location.  (1) A location east of Lowfields Way off the Elland Riorges Link and (2) a location north of Exley Lane which was the site of the former station, closed in 1962.  These two locations were discounted at option selection stage. (1) was discounted due to the need to acquire third party land and the limited availability of land for car parking . (2) was discounted due to the need to purchase third party land and a less desirable connectivity to the access package and highway network. 

The proposed new station at Elland would be located off Lowfields Way on the existing Calder Valley line.  Due to engineering, environmental and operational constraints and the availability of land, the location of the proposed station is preferred and the most appropriate.  The station platforms would be positioned on the existing embankments at an elevated level, with lift and stepped access provided from the car park level.

·  To improve journey time reliability for journeys to/from Elland.

·  Provide opportunity to park & ride

·  Increase rail mode share for journeys to/from Elland in order to achieve sustainable growth.

·  Relieve road congestion including on the A629

·  Increase the labour market catchment of Elland in order to attract new investment and retain existing employers

·  Increase accessibility of Elland from within and beyond the City Region

Facilitate future housing growth in Elland and western parts of Brighouse by reducing transport constraints to development

West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive’s proposals for a new station at Elland where not progressed in 1999/2000 due to a lack of available funding at the time.

Alongside the development of a new rail station for Elland, a package of improvements has been developed to improve walking and cycling access to the proposed station location from across the town and wider area.  These proposed measures includes three new pedestrian and cycle bridges crossing the River Calder and Calder Hebble Navigation, improvements to existing pedestrian and cycle routes and public enhancement across the project area.

Elland Station and the wider access package have been included in the West Yorkshire plus Transport Fund programme.  Capital funding is approved and secured to develop the station and the wider access package up to the completion of Outline Business Case.  While funding for the project has been identified, further development and implementation of the scheme will be subject to the assurance processes of the Combined Authority, the viability of the business case and the relevant statutory and rail industry approvals.  

Given the early stage of development it is not possible to state when the station will open. Current programmes anticipate construction starting in 2021/2022, however this is subject to the assurance processes of the Combined Authority, the viability of the business case and the relevant statutory and rail industry approvals. 

Alongside the development of a new rail station for Elland, a package of improvements has been developed to improve walking and cycling access to the proposed station location from across the town and the wider area. These proposed measures include three new pedestrian and cycle bridges crossing the River Calder and Calder Hebble Navigation, improvements to existing pedestrian and cycle routes and public realm enhancements across the project area

Funding has been identified within the West Yorkshire plus Transport Fund programme. Capital funding is approved and secured to develop the station and the wider access package up to the completion of Outline Business Case.  While funding for the project has been identified, further development and implementation of the scheme will be subject to the assurance processes of the Combined Authority, the viability of the business case and the relevant statutory and rail industry approvals.  The project is subject to approval at a number of stages prior to the start of construction to ensure the project continues to show value for money. Funding will only be released should the project receive approval at these decision points.  

The anticipated cost of the station is still being determined as part of the development process. The typical cost of a brand new rail station is over £10m

The station car park will utilise the land south of the railway line off Lowfields Way.  It is estimated that more than 150 parking spaces can be accommodated.  The car park will incorporate parking spaces for blue badge holders, an area for drop-off/pick-up, cycle storage facilities, low energy lighting and CCTV.

Most rail station car parks in West Yorkshire do not apply charging, however, some locations are charged on a case-by-case basis.  Charging will continued to be considered on a case-by-case basis if it is beneficial to the business case of the scheme which ultimately brings benefit to the passengers.  No decision has been made about whether the rail user car parking will be charged or not at this stage. 

An existing layby on Lowfields Way could be repurposed to accommodate regular bus services although no current bus services operate via Lowfields Way.  Any future changes to local bus services will be subject to future discussion with bus operators.

In order to fully utilise land available for car parking it is currently not proposed to provide bus facilities within the station car park.  Bus facilities could be provided on Lowfields Way.

Development of a suitable train services timetable on this route will be a continuous process throughout the development of this project.  Our current intention is to achieve a minimum of a two trains per hour service pattern at this location.  We will continue to work with the relevant train operators and the Transport for North to deliver the most appropriate timetable that meets the needs of passengers based on the network capacity and the availability and suitability of the rolling stock.  

Based on the anticipated footfall of the station, the station will be categorised as an unstaffed station.  The train operator may choose to increase the provision of staff at unstaffed stations in the future. 

The station will have passenger waiting shelters provided on both platforms.

Ticket Vending Machines will be provided at the station on both platforms. 

It is not proposed that the station will be equipped with toilet facilities.  All trains calling at the station are equipped with on-board toilet facilities.

Yes, the station will be fully accessible with the provision of passenger lifts from ground level to  platforms level. Cross platform access will be provided on the ground level via Lowfields Way with widened footway.

The platforms are currently designed to be 125m in length, this is constrained by the structure of the adjacent two bridges. Following discussion with train operators and Network Rail, it has been established that this is sufficient to meet the requirements of the likely services. 

No, the need for an environmental impact assessment will be determined during the next stage of development as part of the statutory planning processes. 

No, the need for a transport impact assessment will be determined during the next stage of development. 

Our current assumption is Northern will operate and manage the station.  This, however, might be subject to change as the station is more developed and this will be reviewed as part of the wider considerations for the Combined Authority.

The station will be covered by a CCTV system including cameras located throughout the station platforms and car park.

The station will have covered cycle parking with low energy lighting and covered by CCTV.

Future engagement activities will be confirmed during the next stage of development. Further public engagement events will take place together with further online engagement. We are keen to give the public the chance to comment at every step along the way and keep you informed of progress.