Lots has been said about the combined HS2 Leeds station and its significance to the growth and development of the South Bank area of Leeds as well as the city and region as a whole. It is important however to consider other infrastructure developments locally and the plans that are underway to further develop transport networks to keep Leeds in the running.
The new train station at Kirkstall Forge opened in June 2017 and will play a major role in supporting the development of commercial, residential and retail space for the economy of North West Leeds. The Kirkstall Forge scheme will create approximately 2,400 new jobs and with the recent reserved matters planning application for 112 new family homes and 23,000 sq. ft. of retail, leisure and community space set around a new public square, will revive a site with an 800 year industrialised history.
The proposed Parkway station is also a big win. The Department of Transport gave support for funding of this project back in the Spring and Leeds City Council’s executive board have recently given approval to the outline scheme with a feasibility design now being carried out for the station. Once developed the station will create better connections to Leeds Bradford airport which is used by 3.5 million passengers a year and contributes £100m annually to the city region economy. The station is also intended to act as a park and ride hub to support commuters to Leeds and Harrogate and will provide much needed support to the daily rush hour.
Connectivity does not stop here and there are also proposals for two new train stations in addition. The station proposed at the White Rose shopping complex, (which over recent months has been extended to include a further 65,000 sq. ft. of leisure space), will support retail, leisure and office connectivity and promote employment and further growth and opportunity for the South Leeds area. Proposals to build a station and park and ride hub at Thorpe Park on the other hand will focus on enhancing the existing established business community of 4500 people as well as support housing growth in East Leeds.
It is clear looking at the infrastructure development that has taken place and the proposals that exist to develop new transport networks that not only is there a commitment to connect people to growth areas in the Leeds economy but in addition to grow the Leeds economy through better connections to it.
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