I have received the update below:
Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway: Major improvements to begin
The major stage of improvements to Leeds City Rail Station’s main entrance and surrounding area begin on Friday 19 May.
The works are part of the Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme, which will create a much improved and more people-friendly environment that can accommodate growing rail passenger numbers and ensure people can enter and exit the station safely.
The £46.1 million scheme is being delivered by Leeds City Council on behalf of Network Rail as the landowner, and in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. Advance works and preparations have been underway since last May with the project now moving into the next phase, which is due to be completed in September 2025.
At the same time, Network Rail are closing New Station Street to carry out essential maintenance work to reinforce the Mill Goit underground structure beneath the street which supports much of the station above it.
Delivering the two schemes in tandem will lead to less disruption in the long-term and provide value for money, as there will be less need to revisit the Sustainable Travel Gateway Scheme later if further works are required as part of Network Rail’s scheme.
Changes for pedestrians
Network Rail’s closure of New Station Street means that the northern section of the street, from the main entrance towards City Square, will close. Pedestrians will be able to walk towards Boar Lane from the station’s main entrance by travelling along the other side of New Station Street.
To access City Square, Infirmary Street, Park Row and Wellington Street, pedestrians are advised to use the station’s northern entrance (opposite the Majestic building).
Pedestrians walking to the south bank area of the city can do so by following New Station Street onto Boar Lane and looping back onto Mill Hill, or by using the station’s southern entrance (open between 6am and 10pm).
Changes for taxis
Network Rail’s closure of New Station Street also means that From 7pm on Thursday 18 May, taxis will move from their current location on New Station Street to Princes Square (off Aire Street) in the short-stay car park, next to Wetherspoons.
Short-stay car parking at the station has moved to the multi-storey car park. Network Rail have been liaising with private hire and hackney carriage services with details of the arrangements.
Driving to the station
Motorists travelling to the station are advised to plan ahead and allow more time for journeys.
Following the changes to roads around City Square, private vehicles can no longer drive to Princes Square from Bishopgate Street and along Wellington Street in front of the Queens Hotel. Any private vehicles travelling in this direction will pass through a bus gate and incur a fixed penalty notice.
Motorists travelling to the station should do so via the eastern end of Wellington Street before turning right onto Northern Street and left onto Whitehall Road which then becomes Aire Street.
Supporting visitors to the station
Leeds City Council is working in partnership with Network Rail to communicate information around the changes. Activity includes news releases, social media, radio advertising, website updates, and physical wayfinding signage in and around the station.
More information
More information, maps and advice to help people with their journeys can be found at https://leedscitystation.commonplace.is/
The latest news release can be found at https://news.leeds.gov.uk/news/transforming-leeds-city-rail-station-major-improvements-to-begin
