Work to improve access and increase park and ride opportunities at Hebden Bridge station getting underway

7 August 2018

Work to improve accessibility and increase the opportunity to park and ride at West Yorkshire station begins on Friday, 10 August at Hebden Bridge rail station.

As part of the Great North Rail Project and Access for All programmes, Network Rail will be installing lifts on both of the station's and resurfacing the walkway at the front of the station, making it easier for those with additional access needs. There will also be upgrades to track and signalling, which follow on from work to extend the platforms in preparation for new, longer trains.

Through its West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund rail station car park extension programme, the Combined Authority will be creating an additional 46 car parking spaces, to increase people's opportunity to park and ride. Over 170 new, free park and ride spaces have already been created at Fitzwilliam, Mirfield and South Elmsall rail stations and there are plans for further schemes at Mytholmroyd, Normanton, Shipley and Steeton & Silsden that could start over the next 12 to 18 months. Feasibility work is being carried out on further schemes at Apperley Bridge, Ben Rhydding, Guiseley, Moorthorpe and Outwood stations.

Cllr Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: "I am pleased that this work at Hebden Bridge station, to pave the way for longer trains and provide step-free access for all passengers is underway."

"Adding a further 46 spaces to the station's car park will be the latest in the Combined Authority's programme of West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund rail station car park extensions designed to help connect local people to jobs, service, education and leisure opportunities as well as reducing congestion and air pollution in town and city centres."

Rob McIntosh, Route Managing Director at Network Rail, said: "This project is the latest stage of improvements at Hebden Bridge station and is vitally important. The work will improve access at the station, making moving around the station and using train services easier for those with additional access needs.

"We look forward to the work completing and seeing station users reaping the benefits."

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.

Work will also take place to improve accessibility at Headingley station, which see two new lifts installed, as well as wayfinding signs. This project will begin in October.
The Access for All Programme is delivered by Network Rail and funded by the Department for Transport. As a result of investment through this programme, more than 75% of rail journeys will be through step-free stations by 2019.