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14
Sept
Mayor backs £42 million Leeds Bradford Airport interchange on Harrogate line
David Skaith, mayor of York and North Yorkshire, has backed a £42 million plan to build a rail station on the Harrogate line that would connect with Leeds Bradford Airport.
Called Leeds Bradford Airport Parkway, the project is being led by West Yorkshire Combined Authority and was first unveiled in January 2021.
The station would be built between Horsforth station and Bramhope tunnel and enable people to catch the train on the Harrogate line and then transfer to the airport. There would also be a 350-space park and ride facility.
At a meeting of the Harrogate District Chamber of Commerce meeting on Monday, Brian Dunsby, of the Harrogate Line Supporters Group, called on Mr Skaith to support the proposal in his transport strategy.
He said:
This was first proposed several years ago by our Harrogate Line Supporters Group and it has since been taken up by the Airport Management Company and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
We now have two trains per hour between Harrogate, Leeds and York running all day and evening. All trains in both directions should stop at the proposed Parkway Station to serve the current 4 million a year air passengers plus airport staff and businesses based nearby.
The project aims to provide better public transport connections from the airport to residential urban areas, such as Harrogate, Leeds and York, and take more cars off roads.
The proposed site for the new station for Leeds Bradford Airport Parkway. Picture: West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The Stray Ferret asked Mr Skaith’s office if he would back the proposal and work with Tracy Brabin, West Yorkshire mayor, to get the project off the ground.
In response, Mr Skaith said:
The Leeds Bradford Airport Parkway project could bring significant benefits to our region and we’re supporting the West Yorkshire Combined Authority on its development.
The creation of a new station would serve as an interchange to the airport and future North West Leeds Employment Hub, as well as providing a park and ride facility for people living in Harrogate and the surrounding rural villages.
The scheme could also act as a catalyst for considerable benefits for the rail line between Leeds and York, by encouraging future opportunities for investment. This in turn would open up economic opportunities for Harrogate as a key station on the line.
We have made clear that the new station must not have a negative impact on North Yorkshire including increased level crossing barrier downtime, and I’m confident we can work together to deliver a scheme that benefits our residents.
A planning application was due to be submitted for the project this year, according to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority website.
However, a spokesperson for the combined authority told the Stray Frerret that the scheme currently remains at design stage.
They added:
We are continuing to develop plans for the Leeds Bradford Airport Parkway Station Scheme, with design work ongoing.
A planning application is set to be submitted once this has been completed.
The project aims to improve access to the airport and beyond as we build a better-connected region that works for all.
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