City set to make final decision on huge revamp of railway station

A DECISION on final plans to demolish and rebuild areas around Leeds railway station will be made by council planning chiefs this month.

Plans to revamp the station, which include building a new cycle hub, taxi rank and a new lift from Bishopgate Street, are set to go before Leeds City Council decisionmakers on Thursday.

Plans also include allowing part of the wall separating New Station Street and Bishopgate Street – itself a listed building – to be demolished, with a new wall built in its place.

A report by council officers stated: “The principle aim of the proposal is to create a fully accessible multi modal transport hub with free flowing pedestrian movement out of the station to the city centre and wider city areas.

“The new pedestrian focused arrival space to the front of Leeds

Train Station will reduce the flow of vehicular traffic, improve connectivity and create a safer environment for pedestrians and cyclists using the station and adjacent streets.

“Further to this, the scheme also aims to respond to counterterrorism requirements to protect the New Station Street station entrance from potential vehicle incursion, be this deliberate or accidental, and to make the space safer for the larger number of people that will be using it.

“The scheme also aims to improve air quality by discouraging general traffic and by creating connections to the existing cycling routes and improving route connectivity.”

It added the scheme would help promote sustainable modes of transport, as well as improving pedestrian and cycle routes and making the station more accessible.