New Apperley Bridge rail station now open

West Yorkshire�s first new rail station in 10 years opened on Sunday 13 December.

Two trains per hour will run between Leeds and Bradford Forster Square, calling at Apperley Bridge in each direction, Monday to Saturday daytime and hourly on Sundays on the Leeds-Bradford Line. An hourly Monday to Saturday evening service will call on the Airedale Line between Leeds and Skipton. Timetables can be found on the Metro website (new window)

The new station includes a 297-space car park and a pickup/drop off point and, fully accessible platforms with staircases and ramps. It also has secure cycle parking and waiting shelters

New links for work and leisure

Councillor Keith Wakefield, Chairman of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said:

�Regular services between Leeds and Bradford Forster Square will provide people with links to work and leisure opportunities in the two city centres. The Combined Authority has worked closely with our partners at Network Rail to get Apperley Bridge Station open for passengers as soon as possible and look forward to seeing those services starting in mid-December.

�The new station will also reduce existing congestion and improve journey reliability on a key corridor and electric train links replacing car journeys will help reduce harmful emissions.�

Commitment to better transport

Transport Minister Andrew Jones said:

"The new Apperley Bridge station on the busy Leeds-Bradford route will significantly improve journeys between the two great cities. Our commitment to better transport for West Yorkshire will continue as we create a Northern Powerhouse that supports local people's ambitions for the area's future."�

Vital contribution to local economy

Councillor Val Slater, Bradford Council Deputy Leader said:

�I�m delighted that the new Apperley Bridge station is about to open for passengers. Extra public transport links make a vital contribution to the economy of the region and improvements to the environment.

�Commuters in Bradford and around the wider region can look forward to enjoying the benefits of the new rail services.

�We have lobbied hard and done everything we could to get this station opened as quickly as possible.� �

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Improved access to jobs and education

Mark Tarry, Route Managing Director for Network Rail, said:
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�We know how important this station is to the local community in order to improve access to jobs and education as well as travel for leisure. We are pleased services will soon be able to call at the station."
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Apperley Bridge is West Yorkshire�s first new station since Glasshoughton opened in February 2005.
Together with Kirkstall Forge Rail Station, which will open in early 2016, Apperley Bridge is part of a �15.9m Rail Growth Package which was given DfT approval in May 2014. New bus services 948 and 949 will run from Apperley Bridge Station to Greengates, Idle, Thorpe Edge and Eccleshill Hospital once the station opens.