Thorpe Park Rail Station

Combined Authority and Leeds City Council proposals for a new rail station at Thorpe Park do not include scope for delivery of 4 tracking this section of the Leeds – York/Selby Line from Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme funding. However, our early station designs will not preclude the delivery of 4 tracking in the future. 

The Combined Authority and Leeds City Council are working with the rail industry and Transport for the North to produce a reliable and robust timetable, that best serves the demand for passengers on this route. Both the Northern and TransPennine Express franchises are committed to introduce new trains and more carriages before the end of 2020. We appreciate the problems with the current timetable and we are working with our partners at Rail North and the train operating companies to influence future timetables and the deployment of rolling stock in order to ensure that trains are deployed in the way that benefits passengers.

The short answer is yes. The original East Leeds Parkway station proposal in the Micklefield area was based on it being an increment to a Network Rail led scheme to move Micklefield station. The Network Rail scheme is now not happening. The Combined Authority completed technical work on possible locations in the east leeds corridor and a new station located at Thorpe Park is preferable as it will support economic development, job creation and regeneration and support local housing.

As our bus network is a commercial entity operating in a deregulated environment, operators can specify their own services and set the prices. We are however working closely with the City’s major bus operators, Arriva, First and Transdev through our Bus18 initiative to deliver a number of pledges that will make bus travel better and encourage more people to use the bus. Also, as part of Connecting Leeds we have ambitious plans to deliver improvements to the bus network between Alwoodley and Leeds and Oakwood and Leeds, to make bus services quicker and more reliable, whilst also making local journeys on foot and by bike convenient and attractive.

The Combined Authority and Leeds City Council will work with the rail industry and Transport for the North to work out a timetable that best serves the demand for passengers on this entire route.  Both Northern and TPE franchises are committed to introduce new trains and more carriages within the current franchises. We are working with the operators on the route through Rail North to influence their timetable and deployment of rolling stock so that trains are deployed in the way that benefits passengers.

The Combined Authority and Leeds City Council have secured development funding to progress all three new rail stations within the Leeds area up to the completion of the Outline Business Case.  There is no priority order among the three proposed sites at the moment. Further development and implementation of the schemes will be subject to technical and operational feasibility, viability of business and financial cases, and availability of third party funding.

At this early stage, it is anticipated that the platforms will be located on the relatively straight section of the tracks.

A new station at Horsforth Woodside was considered as part of a new station study in 2014. As the Horsforth Woodside fell within the catchment of Kirkstall Forge and Apperley new rail stations which were in development at the time, Horsforth Woodside was not prioritised.

The proposed Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) Parkway station (currently also being developed with proposals being announced for public engagement in the coming months) is likely to cater to some of the same markets that Horsforth Woodside would serve.  As such, it would not be appropriate to re-examine Horsforth Woodside until the development for LBA is complete.  The Combined Authority is also progressing the development of a new prioritised station at Elland along with LBA, White Rose and Thorpe Park, which development funding is already secured and available.  The Combined Authority has no plans at present for further new stations beyond this programme, as our resources are being utilised to progress the Outline Business Case for these four stations.  However, the renewal of our rail strategy could also cover access to the network in the form of stations.

A new rail station at Thorpe Park would be in addition to the existing stations on the Leeds to York/Selby line, and would not result in any station closures.  At this stage, it is envisaged that some of those services calling at Thorpe Park would be likely to call at Cross Gates in both directions. By the time a proposed rail station at Thorpe Park would open, a new train timetable will be in operation. It should be noted that the current timetable assumptions may have changed and the exact stopping patterns for Thorpe Park would be confirmed shortly before the station opening date.

The Combined Authority and Leeds City Council will work with the rail industry and Transport for the North to work out a timetable that best serves the demand for passengers on this route.  Both Northern and TPE franchises are committed to introduce new trains and more carriages within the current franchises. We are working with the operators on the route through Rail North to influence their timetable and deployment of rolling stock so that trains are deployed in the way that benefits passengers.

A new station study in 2014 looked at 62 potential station locations across the Leeds City Region that are likely to have a good business case for implementing new stations in the next five to ten years.  The study did not consider a location at the junctions of Broad Lane, Leeds and Bradford and Bridge Road due to the likelihood that the catchment would overlap with stations at Bramley, Headingley and at the time in 2014, the station which was in development at Kirkstall Forge station.  The Combined Authority is progressing the development of new stations at Elland, White Rose, Thorpe Park and Leeds Bradford Airport (LBA) Parkway (proposals being announced for public engagement on LBA in the coming months) which development funding is already secured and available.  The Combined Authority has no plans at present for further new stations beyond this programme, as our resources are being utilised to progress the Outline Business Case for these four stations.  However, the renewal of our rail strategy could also cover access to the network in the form of stations.

At this stage, it is envisaged that some of those services calling at Thorpe Park would be likely to call at Cross Gates in both directions. By the time a proposed rail station at Thorpe Park would open, a new train timetable will be in operation. It should be noted that the current timetable assumptions may have changed and the exact stopping patterns for Thorpe Park would be confirmed shortly before the station opening date.

Plans of the proposed rail station for Thorpe Park will be exhibited at Cross Gates Station on Thursday 19th July and at Garforth Station on Friday 20th July. Both exhibitions will be around station buildings and platforms between 06:45 – 09:15. Officers from the Combined Authority and Leeds City Council will be present to address any questions and collect feedback and views.

At this stage, it is envisaged that some of those services calling at Thorpe Park would be likely to call at Cross Gates in both directions. By the time a proposed rail station at Thorpe Park would open, a new train timetable will be in operation. It should be noted that the current timetable assumptions may have changed and the exact stopping patterns for Thorpe Park would be confirmed shortly before the station opening date. 

Proposals for a new rail station at Thorpe Park do not include scope for creation of new tracks or platforms at Garforth. The Combined Authority and Leeds City Council will continue to collaborate with the Department for Transport and Network Rail to ensure proposals for Thorpe Park compliment route wide aspirations for the Leeds-York/Selby Line on the Trans Pennine Railway. We will work with the rail industry and Transport for the North to work out a timetable that best serves the demand for passengers on this entire route, considering operational capacity.

The Combined Authority and Leeds City Council will work with the rail industry and Transport for the North to work out a timetable that best serves the demand for passengers on this entire route. Both Northern and Transpennine Express franchises are committed to introduce new trains and more carriages within the current franchises. We are working with the operators on the route through Rail North to influence their timetable and deployment of rolling stock so that trains are deployed in the way that benefits passengers.

South Milford Rail Station sits outside of the West Yorkshire Boundary. Within West Yorkshire on the Leeds – York/Selby Line, as well as the new station at Thorpe Park, the Combined Authority is promoting an accessibility improvement scheme at Cross Gates and investigating the feasibility of a potential car park extension at Garforth. Network Rail are also developing an accessibility proposal for Garforth station.

A new rail station at Thorpe Park would be in addition to the existing stations on the Leeds to York/Selby line, and would not result in any station closures. 

South Milford rail station sits outside of the West Yorkshire Boundary and is managed by the train operating company Northern who have introduced parking charges.

Proposals are being developed for Leeds Bradford Airport Parkway station in partnership with Leeds City Council. A period of public engagement will take place for LBA Parkway later in 2018. Public engagement proposals are still developed, updates will be made available via the Combined Authority website as they become available.

The Combined Authority and Leeds City Council will work with the rail industry and Transport for the North to work out a timetable that best serves the demand for passengers on this route. Both Northern and Transpennine Express franchises are committed to introduce new trains and more carriages within the current franchises. We are working with the operators on the route through Rail North to influence their timetable and deployment of rolling stock so that trains are deployed in the way that benefits passengers.

The Combined Authority and Leeds City Council, has appointed a development partner to progress the business case for a rail station at Thorpe Park. The Outline Business case including technical and business case work will be completed by spring 2019. As part of this business case, modelling will be undertaken to assess the catchment for Thorpe Park and any potential extraction from Temple Green Park & Ride, and other Rail stations on the Leeds – York / Selby Line. Both bus and rail park and ride are vital to the support the economic growth and ambitions of the city and the arrival of HS2.

A new rail station at Thorpe Park would be in addition to the existing stations at Cross Gates, Garforth, East Garforth and Micklefield on the Leeds to York/Selby line, and would not result in any station closures. 

With regard to potential rail service, at this stage of development it is too early to know, however the Combined Authority will work with the rail industry and Transport for the North to work out a timetable that best serves the demand for passengers on this route.

The Combined Authority is aware that availability of train capacity and seating is a key challenge in this area in particular during peak hours.  We are working with the operators on the route through Rail North to influence their timetable and deployment of rolling stock so that trains are deployed in the way that benefits passengers.   In the medium and longer terms, the Combined Authority will work closely with the Department for Transport and Transport for North to support a case for further investment on rolling stock and train capacity. 

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 availability of funding, assurance processes of the Combined Authority, the viability of the business case and the relevant statutory and rail industry approvals 

Thank you for taking the time to ask a question. A new rail station at Thorpe Park would be in addition to the existing stations at Cross Gates, Garforth, East Garforth and Micklefield on the Leeds to York/Selby line, and would not result in any station closures. 

With regard to potential rail service, at this stage of development it is too early to know, however the Combined Authority will work with the rail industry and Transport for the North to work out a timetable that best serves the demand for passengers on this route.

Thank you for taking the time to ask a question. A new rail station at Thorpe Park would be in addition to the existing stations at Cross Gates, Garforth, East Garforth and Micklefield on the Leeds to York/Selby line, and would not result in any station closures. 

With regard to potential rail service, at this stage of development it is too early to know, however the Combined Authority will work with the rail industry and Transport for the North to work out a timetable that best serves the demand for passengers on this route.

Thank you for taking the time to ask a question. A new rail station at Thorpe Park would be in addition to the existing stations at Cross Gates, Garforth, East Garforth and Micklefield on the Leeds to York/Selby line, and would not result in any station closures. 

With regard to potential rail service, at this stage of development it is too early to know, however the Combined Authority will work with the rail industry and Transport for the North to work out a timetable that best serves the demand for passengers on this route.

Thank you for taking the time to ask a question. A new rail station at Thorpe Park would be in addition to the existing stations at Cross Gates, Garforth, East Garforth and Micklefield on the Leeds to York/Selby line, and would not result in any station closures. 

With regard to potential rail service, at this stage of development it is too early to know, however the Combined Authority will work with the rail industry and Transport for the North to work out a timetable that best serves the demand for passengers on this route.

Thank you for taking the time to ask a question. A new rail station at Thorpe Park would be in addition to the existing stations at Cross Gates, Garforth, East Garforth and Micklefield on the Leeds to York/Selby line, and would not result in any station closures. 

With regard to potential rail service, at this stage of development it is too early to know, however the Combined Authority will work with the rail industry and Transport for the North to work out a timetable that best serves the demand for passengers on this route.

Thank you for taking the time to ask a question. A new rail station at Thorpe Park would be in addition to the existing stations at Cross Gates, Garforth, East Garforth and Micklefield on the Leeds to York/Selby line, and would not result in any station closures. 

With regard to potential rail service, at this stage of development it is too early to know, however the Combined Authority will work with the rail industry and Transport for the North to work out a timetable that best serves the demand for passengers on this route.

Thank you for taking the time to ask a question. A new rail station at Thorpe Park would be in addition to the existing stations at Cross Gates, Garforth, East Garforth and Micklefield on the Leeds to York/Selby line, and would not result in any station closures. 

With regard to potential rail service, at this stage of development it is too early to know, however the Combined Authority will work with the rail industry and Transport for the North to work out a timetable that best serves the demand for passengers on this route.

Thank you for taking the time to ask a question. A new rail station at Thorpe Park would be in addition to the existing stations at Cross Gates, Garforth, East Garforth and Micklefield on the Leeds to York/Selby line, and would not result in any station closures. 

With regard to potential rail service, at this stage of development it is too early to know, however the Combined Authority will work with the rail industry and Transport for the North to work out a timetable that best serves the demand for passengers on this route.

Thank you for taking the time to ask a question. A new rail station at Thorpe Park would be in addition to the existing stations at Cross Gates, Garforth, East Garforth and Micklefield on the Leeds to York/Selby line, and would not result in any station closures. 

With regard to potential rail service, at this stage of development it is too early to know, however the Combined Authority will work with the rail industry and Transport for the North to work out a timetable that best serves the demand for passengers on this route.