Thorpe Park Rail Station

We are developing plans to build Thorpe Park Rail Station on the existing Leeds to York section of the Transpennine railway line, between Cross Gates and Garforth Rail Stations. The station would sit within the wider development at Thorpe Park which is a mixed-use office, commercial and residential area.

The new station is part of our commitment to deliver the Weaver Network – a seamless transport system connecting people with the places and opportunities that matter. With frequent trains to Leeds and a journey time of 10-12 minutes, the accessible station will boost transport links and bring new opportunities by connecting more people with the places they need to go.

For illustration purposes only

What has happened so far?

We last engaged on our proposals for a new station at Thorpe Park between Monday 2 July and Friday 3 August 2018. An outcome report was produced analysing the feedback we received during this period. We carefully reviewed this feedback and used it to help inform and refine the design. The majority of respondents said they supported the proposals for the new station, and the scheme received Outline Business Case Approval in October 2021.

Since then, we have worked with Network Rail who have completed on-site surveys, ground investigation works and developed detailed station designs. We are currently inviting feedback on these updated proposals; you can have your say here:

What has changed since the previous engagement?

For information about the initial Thorpe Park Rail Station engagement in summer 2018, please visit the archived engagement webpage. You can read the You Said We Listened document for this engagement here, which provides further information about how we used the feedback we received.

Since the last engagement the car park has been reduced from 500 plus spaces to 300 spaces. This decision is based on the latest demand forecasting data, which predicts how many people might use the station in future.

• Previous plans included a car and taxi drop-off area on Barrington Way, to the south of the station site. The updated design relocates the drop-off area directly outside the station entrance within the car park, accessed from Manston Lane to the north of the site. The pedestrian access from the south of the station connecting to The Springs has been retained.
• The station design has been updated so it can support potential future railway upgrades, including electrifying the railway and allowing space for additional tracks. These potential future upgrades could help provide more frequent trains, reduce journey times and improve reliability for passengers.

Our proposed design for the new Thorpe Park Rail Station

What is proposed?

The current design proposal for the station includes:

• Two platforms
• Footbridge with stairs and lift access on both platforms
• Step free access to the station
• Waiting shelters and seating areas
• Self-service ticket machines on both platforms
• Rail services with a minimum of two trains per hour*
• 300 space car park with disabled parking spaces and electric vehicle charging points
• Vehicle Drop off and pick up point
• Cycle storage
• Provision for rail replacement bus service

*It is intended that the station will be served by a minimum of two trains per hour in each direction on opening, subject to the production of a final agreed rail timetable by Network Rail and the Train Operating Companies.

Currently it is scheduled that this will be an unstaffed rail station without a ticket office and no toilet facilities.

Futureproofing

The station has been designed to incorporate the aspirational future upgrade of this section of the railway network envisaged by the UK government. The design will accommodate a four-track railway, which means that on opening, the northern platform (for trains towards York) will feel wider than a standard platform. The station footbridge has been designed to allow for the line to be electrified in the future.

An electrified four-track railway will allow the rail industry to deliver more frequent, faster, and more reliable journeys. By designing the station in this way we reduce future disruption for passengers, save money and limit time delays that would result from having to demolish or retrofit aspects of the station in the future.

Impact on East Garforth station timetable

It is intended that Thorpe Park Train Station will be served by a minimum of two trains per hour in each direction on opening, subject to the production of a final rail timetable by Network Rail and the Train Operating Companies.

In order to ensure that the new timetable along this section of railway is reliable, East Garforth station would see a reduction of one train per hour in each direction.

While East Garforth Station would experience a reduction in service frequency, it would continue to remain open and served by rail. In addition, passengers affected by the change would have access to Garforth Station as an alternative, which is located approximately a 16-minute walk from East Garforth Station and provides a more frequent rail service. This helps to ensure that rail access is retained within the local area while enabling services to be reallocated to meet forecast demand associated with the Thorpe Park Station development.

While the current proposal represents a balanced use of available timetable capacity at present, there may be opportunities to refine the service offer for stations in this part of the network in future, as a result of the wider rail enhancement programmes. Any future improvements to the number of services calling at Cross Gates, Thorpe Park, Garforth, or East Garforth Train Stations would be considered against demand levels, the network capacity, and funding availability.

For illustration purposes only

Why are we building it?

Improving the rail network is an important part of the Rail Strategy for West Yorkshire that aims to improve journeys for existing passengers, as well as attracting new users. With significant development and investment across Leeds, the rail network must connect people to where they want to go.

Objectives and benefits:

• Deliver an accessible station for all passengers
• Enhance rail services to meet growing local demand, including a 300-space car park to serve commuters
• Serve the established Thorpe Park development including business park, leisure and retail facilities, by providing improved transport links for everyone
• Connect people to jobs, education and services in existing and new developments across the area
• Encourage more people to travel by more sustainable public transport
• Offer integrated public transport and improve rail access for communities in East Leeds and form part of wider connectivity for new transport infrastructure across the East Leeds Extension
• Help employers have access to a wider labour network by creating a better connection to the city centre, and reducing journey times
• Reduce congestion, improve air quality and contribute to lower carbon emissions

Funding

The cost for the scheme is estimated at £40million. Subject to a successful business case, this scheme will be delivered through funding provided to the Combined Authority by HM Government. The funding for this scheme is known as capital funding; this means it can only be spent on schemes to deliver new or improved infrastructure.

How to have your say

You can let us know what you think of the proposals by using the following methods:

• Complete our questionnaire here for a chance to win one of four £25 Love2Shop vouchers
• Read our frequently asked questions and then ask us a question
• Come and meet us in person at one of our four events to view the plans and ask questions to the project team

Contact us and accessibility

If you would like to contact us or request information in an alternative format you can:

• Email: yourvoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk
• Phone: MetroLine on 0113 245 7676
• Write to: FREEPOST WEST YORKSHIRE COMBINED AUTHORITY (no stamp required)

Next steps

Following this engagement, we will consider all feedback received to inform the final design process. There will be further opportunity to comment on the final proposals as part of the formal planning application process to Leeds City Council in late 2026/early 2027.

Subject to planning approval by Leeds City Council, the Full Business Case will be submitted to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority for approval, which is currently expected in Spring 2027. Construction would then begin, with the station anticipated to open in 2028.