£26.5m Leeds rail station takes shape

Rail infrastructure specialist Spencer Group is making “significant progress” on the construction of a £26.5m station in South Leeds.The White Rose Rail Station, situated between Morley and Cottingley, will be located on the main trans-Pennine route to Manchester via Huddersfield.The two-platform station would provide improved access to the adjacent White Rose office park, shopping centre and bus interchange.Included in the fully accessible station will be cycle storage next to the White Rose Park, along with improved walking and cycling routes between Cottingley, Churwell and Millshaw, and the White Rose Shopping Centre and bus interchange.Hull-based Spencer Group is bringing forward the project for White Rose owner Munroe K in conjunction with Network Rail, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, Leeds City Council and the Department for Transport.Construction of the new station, which will replace Cottingley Rail Station, is scheduled to be completed later this year.It is expected to open in early 2024.Joe Bennett, operations director at Spencer Group, said: “The erection of the lift cores and link bridge walkways, connecting the platform works already undertaken, will transform the look of the project and enable people to see the facility for the first time. It’s an exciting time for all involved.”Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracey Brabin, also visited the site to see the progress being made on the project.Funding for the scheme has been received from the Leeds City Region Transforming Cities Fund, the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme and £5m of the Department for Transport’s New Stations Fund, alongside contributions from Munroe K.David Aspin, chief executive of Munroe K, said: “The new station can be the catalyst to unlock real economic development in this area of south Leeds, providing our local communities with better links to education and employment opportunities. Its location at the White Rose Park makes it accessible to many more people living in the area and beyond.”