By John Baron
Regional transport chiefs have re-iterated their multi-million pound commitment to a new parkway station for Leeds Bradford Airport.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) has been developing plans to build a new rail station on the existing Harrogate line – between Horsforth Station and the southern end of the Bramhope tunnel – for around a decade.
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin has confirmed WYCA’s commitment to the new parkway station, which she hoped will lead to smoother transport for travellers, and for those commuting to work.
The move will further support Leeds Bradford Airport’s Vision 2030, backed by £200 million in private investment, to improve passenger experience as the airport reaches an anticipated seven million passengers a year by 2030 and the creation of up to 5,500 new jobs.
Mayor Brabin and the region’s five council leaders approved West Yorkshire’s investment pipeline at a meeting of the Combined Authority last Thursday, injecting millions of pounds into projects for Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield.
Together, they approved £230 million in new funding for projects that will deliver better transport links.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “This is a huge moment for West Yorkshire, as we deliver on our promises and change lives for the better in every corner of our great region.
“Almost a quarter of a billion pounds of investment will help us to get shovels in the ground, boost public transport, build new homes, and back the communities and businesses that keep our region moving.
“With all five districts coming together to work as one West Yorkshire powerhouse, we’re rolling up our sleeves and getting on with the job of building a stronger, greener, fairer and better connected region – one that puts more money in people’s pockets and grows the UK economy.”
The scheme has been going through an assessment of deliverability and affordability since last July, in response to rising costs for project delivery.
The plans were first revealed back in 2016. More details on the proposed parkway can be found here.
Included in the package was confirmation of funding to improve the streetscene in the Armley Town Street area.
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Totally pointless. Who would travel to Leeds then catch a train to this ‘Parkway’ and then have to wait for a bus to get them to the airport when they can get a bus or a taxi straight there from the City centre