Major improvements are underway at Hebden Bridge rail station
11 July 2018
Both platforms are being extended to accommodate the introduction of new longer trains as part of a Hebden Bridge rail station improvement scheme, which will also see the creation of 46 additional park and ride spaces at the station.
The joint Network Rail, Northern and West Yorkshire Combined Authority project also involves upgrades to track and signalling and the installation of lifts to improve access for passengers with limited mobility, heavy luggage or buggies and prams.
Extending Hebden Bridge station car park is part of the Combined Authority's programme of extending rail station car parks is designed to help connect local people to jobs, training, education, services and leisure opportunities as well as reducing congestion and air pollution. Investment for the Station Car Park Extensions programme is through the Combined Authority's West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund, and the Leeds City Region Growth Deal - a £1 billion package of Government investment through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.
Twenty-four additional park and ride spaces have just been opened at Mirfield station and further schemes at Mytholmroyd, Normanton, Shipley and Steeton & Silsden that could start over the next 12 to 18 months. Also, feasibility work is being carried out on further schemes at Apperley Bridge, Ben Rhydding, Guiseley, Moorthorpe and Outwood stations.
Announcing the recent opening of the new spaces at Mirfield, Cllr Eric Firth, Deputy Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: "Our ambitious rail park and ride programme has taken the total number of park and ride spaces at West Yorkshire's stations to over 5,000 and earlier this month we agreed funding to develop up to 2,500 more spaces at 12 more."
Investment for the Station Car Park Extensions programme is through the Combined Authority's West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund, and the Leeds City Region Growth Deal - a £1 billion package of Government investment through the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) to accelerate growth and create jobs across Leeds City Region.
Commenting on the Hebden Bridge scheme, Rob McIntosh, Route Managing Director at Network Rail, said: "This is a huge project of improvements at Hebden Bridge station which will bring significant benefits to station users.
"The first stage of work begins this week and we would like to thank passengers for their patience whilst this takes place. We look forward to passengers reaping the benefits and this work will ensure we can continue to provide a railway which meets the needs of the communities and economies we serve."