More than 100 new parking spaces open at Steeton and Silsden Railway Station

Travelling by train has become easier for commuters in the Aire Valley after a new multi-storey car park was completed at Steeton and Silsden Railway Station.

Passengers can now make use of 245 parking spaces at the station – an increase of 104 – after work on the upgrade finished last week.

The £7m scheme is part of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s multi-million-pound Rail Park and Ride Programme – designed to increase access to train services by providing more station parking, as well as helping to reduce congestion and carbon emissions.

The Combined Authority has worked with rail operator Northern and Bradford Council to deliver the new car park, which is free to use, supports future electric vehicle charging infrastructure and has an accessible lift to all levels.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “This new car park is a fantastic addition to the railway station and the wider area.

“It will encourage more people to use the train and leave their cars at the station, reducing congestion and pollution in the area and helping us towards our ambition of becoming a net zero carbon region by 2038.

“I’m delighted that we are delivering on schemes like this to help create a greener, better-connected West Yorkshire.”

Kerry Peters, regional director for Northern, said: “We’re really pleased to see this car park has opened as it will allow more people to leave their vehicles at the station and enjoy a fast and affordable journey to the likes of Leeds, Bradford and Skipton on one of our services.

“The £7 million investment from the Combined Authority has provided our customers with a fantastic new facility that is free to use, safe and accessible.”

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and Transport, said: “The new multi-storey car park makes it much easier and more appealing for commuters to take the train from Steeton and Silsden and the nearby surrounding areas.”

The scheme did experience some delays and increase in costs due to factors like working next to a live railway line and the discovery of casings from a World War II munitions factory on the site.

But now the facility is complete, it also includes lighting on all levels and a new footpath linking it safely to the nearby Station Road.