FAQs
- Serve the established Thorpe Park development including business park, leisure and retail facilities, providing improved transport links for employees and visitors
- Connecting people to jobs in existing and new developments around the area
- Provide an accessible station for all users
- Better rail service for local demand (with park and ride for commuters)
- Encourage more people to travel by public transport
- Improve rail access for local residents in the East Leeds area
- Form part of wider connectivity for new transport infrastructure across the East Leeds Extension, offering integrated public transport for existing and new residents
- Improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions by taking cars off the road
- Provide station parking for commuters
- Help employers have access to a wider labour network by creating a better connection to the city centre, and reducing journey times
What has been done so far?
We are developing plans to build a new rail station with associated car park on the existing Leeds to York section of the Trans-Pennine railway line, between Cross Gates and Garforth Stations. The first phase of public engagement regarding this station took place 2 July - 3 August 2018 and a report was produced analysing the feedback we received during this period. Overall the majority of respondents stated they were either very happy or happy with the proposal for a new station at Thorpe Park. Thorpe Park Rail Station received Outline Business Case approval in October 2021.
Since the last approval, the project has appointed a Principal Contractor and produced outline designs for the station. These designs have been approved by Network Rail. The project has also completed on-site non-intrusive surveys and is working towards final station design. Following this, the FBC will be completed and submitted to our assurance panel and planning consent will be sought. The implementation of the scheme will be subject to the relevant rail industry approvals, availability of funding and technical and business case feasibility.
Where will the proposed Thorpe Park Station be located?
The station would be situated on the existing Leeds to York section of the Trans-Pennine railway line - between Cross Gates and Garforth Stations.
What is the purpose of the station?
Improving the rail network is an important part of the strategy that aims to improve journeys for existing passengers, as well as attracting new users. With significant development and investment across the city, the rail network must connect people to where they want to go. It is also important to make sure Leeds is ready to maximise the benefits and future opportunities of Northern Powerhouse Rail. The station will also help to reduce road congestion, through reduced road journeys.
Thorpe Park Rail Station proposals have the following objectives and benefits:
When is it likely to be open?
The current programme envisages that the station will be in operation in 2027. This date is dependent on a number of factors including site surveys, the availability of funding and the relevant approval processes.
What improvements will be made to the local road and pedestrian and cycling network surrounding the proposed Thorpe Park station?
Vehicle access to the station from Leeds and beyond would be via the M1 motorway (junction 46) accessing the southern end of the East Leeds Orbital Route (ELOR). Vehicles would then drive along William Parkin Way and access the station car park from Manston Lane.
Pedestrian and cycle routes will be incorporated as part of the station and car park design and this will include secure cycling parking facilities.
Is the proposed railway station at Thorpe Park definitely going ahead and how will the new station be funded?
The project is currently working towards Full Business Case, where a detailed design will be brought forward. The delivery of the station beyond the Full Business Case is subject to the relevant approvals, as defined in the Leeds City Region Assurance Framework. Thorpe Park Station has previously been funded by Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme (LPTIP) and is currently being funded by West Yorkshire plus Transport Fund (WY+TF) and New Stations Fund (NSF).
What provision will the station have for car parking?
At this stage, the exact number of car parking spaces is not known as the car park design is still in progress. However, it is envisaged to be between 500 and 800 spaces. The car park will include disabled bays and electric vehicle (EV) charging spaces.
Will a charge be made for parking at the station car park?
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 continue to be considered on a case-by-case basis if it is beneficial to the business and financial cases 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; this will be determined at Full Business Case and reassessed throughout the scheme’s lifecycle.
Will buses serve the new railway station?
Development of suitable bus service provision to the station will be considered throughout the development of the project. We will continue to work with Leeds City Council and bus operators to deliver the most appropriate services that meets the needs of passengers.
Will the station be staffed?
Based on current assumptions the station will not be categorised as a staffed station. However, the provision of staff at the station is a commercial decision for the operator.
What passenger waiting facilities will the station have?
The specification for the station and waiting facilities will be refined during detailed design. Current proposals include covered seating areas.
Will the station have facilities to purchase a ticket?
There will be no ticket office at the station, however provide ticket vending machines will be provided.
Will the station have toilets?
The current design stipulates that the station will not include toilet facilities. However, all trains calling at the station are equipped with on-board toilet facilities.
Will the station have lifts and be compliant to modern accessibility standards?
Yes, the station will be designed to the latest accessibility standards which will include the provision of passenger lifts to the platforms.
Has an Environmental Impact Assessment been carried out?
Yes, an Environmental Impact Assessment will be carried out as part of the Full Business Case.
Will the station have CCTV?
The station will be covered by a CCTV system including cameras located throughout the station, platforms and car park.
What other engagement will be taking place in the future?
Updates will be posted on Your Voice and engagement activities will be assessed throughout the scheme’s progression.
How long will it take to walk from the the station to The Springs?
It is estimated that walking from the station car park to The Springs will take between 5 and 10 minutes.
Will this new station result in any closures of existing stations, or impact on current service provision?
There are no station closures anticipated associated with building the new station at Thorpe Park.
The current service provision and timetable for Thorpe Park has not yet been confirmed. A timetabling study has been undertaken and the Combined Authority and Network Rail are in consultation with the Train Operating Companies to identify the most suitable timetable solution to enable adequate provision for all stations in the area. This will take into consideration the potential impact on stopping patterns and services currently on the line.
What safety features will be incorporated as part of the station?
Safety is a high priority for the Combined Authority, the safety of women and girls being a pledge made by the Mayor. Network Rail’s contractor will ensure that safety elements are incorporated into the design such as open, well-lit areas and CCTV, as well as considering design measures to reduce anti-social behaviour.
How will the station be environmentally friendly?
One of the objectives of the scheme at Thorpe Park is to move people away from cars and to the rail network as rail travel is shown to produce some of the lowest greenhouse gas emissions by transport type. Encouraging users to the network at Thorpe Park Station will help to improve air quality and reduce carbon emissions by taking cars off the road.
The station will embed energy efficiency where possible to include energy saving infrastructure such as Electric Vehicle charging points and environmentally efficient LED lighting.
Where possible, the project will use a local supply chain to procure goods to help ensure energy consumption and associated carbon emissions are considered in the planning, design and implementation of business activities.