Leeds station improvement updates

[DarloRich]

The main priority we need is a longer platform 17 so we can get long enough trains on the Hallam line.

I assumed that was a given!

 

[yorksrob]

I assumed that was a given!

True. Particularly when we're lumbered with so many 150 diagrams for the route, which are wholly inadequate.

 

[DarloRich]

True. Particularly when we're lumbered with so many 150 diagrams for the route, which are wholly inadequate.

they are ok on the Knottingley terminators

 

[yorksrob]

they are ok on the Knottingley terminators

Yes, probably ok for those.

 

[Rikki Lamb]

I'm not convinced there's space for a centre footbridge that reaches everywhere without reducing platform widths significantly, especially on the 9-11 island.

But let's think big. The new, accessible (I'd say lifts and steps rather than escalators, for space reasons) footbridge replaces the existing eastern footbridge. It extends through part of WH Smith's, with a new gate line so that people can 'cut the corner' which also eases pressure on the existing gate line. It's wide enough for the usual outlets, meaning a couple can move from the western footbridge (plus the shop on the existing 12-15 island).

There is no room for another footbridge, totally agree. I always thought it a shame they closed the subway, even though it is still there.

 

[johntea]

At least the Hallam line (well Castleford, Normanton and Wakefield Kirkgate) now has the excellent Transpenine Express route in place between York and Manchester so half the time I don't even need to worry about Leeds or Platform 17 or Class 150s to begin with!

 

[M60lad]

Considering the subway is still there how accessible is it these days and whereabouts is it situated? Is it accessible to station staff?

 

[skyhigh]

Considering the subway is still there how accessible is it these days and whereabouts is it situated? Is it accessible to station staff?

Only part of the subway still exists, it's very much inaccessible with access only from underneath the station via a ladder. The access to the platforms is concreted over.

It would be to be totally rebuilt to be used again.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 15 Jan 2026 ==

 

[yorksrob]

Oh yes, the stinky toilets of yore

It looks more or less intact from your photos, however I'm guessing the staircases to the platforms have been built over.

 

[YorksLad12]

Oh yes, the stinky toilets of yore

It looks more or less intact from your photos, however I'm guessing the staircases to the platforms have been built over.

It's the landing point for the present steps and escalators. This photo in my 'acquired' collection gives you an idea; the booths are roughly where the present gate line is.

We call it a subway, it's really a tube slung between the arches!

 

[takno]

It's the landing point for the present steps and escalators. This photo in my 'acquired' collection gives you an idea; the booths are roughly where the present gate line is.

We call it a subway, it's really a tube slung between the arches!

It's quite a long way in front of the present escalators, though that places it right in the way, and arguably too close to the barriers for the numbers of people going through them now. Realistically if you were going to bring it back into use you'd have to relocate virtually all the steps, and add an extension to platform 16/17, which isn't going to work out cheaper than anything.

It's a pity that Railtrack had an obsession with replacing subways with big high bridges which required twice as many steps to get to them, but we are where we are.

If it was possible to sling a new tube in the location they are suggesting for a new bridge then that would be great, but I think cost probably rules that out, and the difficulty of siting steps/lifts is just as bad for a subway as it is for a bridge

 

[Tge1435]

Works over the next few years will include:

Demolition works, replacement of the existing roof structure over the south concourse, breakthrough & access through to the dark arches below the station, an additional new overbridge across the main platforms, new entrance to south bank at Neville Street and external public realm works.

 

[yorksrob]

Works over the next few years will include:

Demolition works, replacement of the existing roof structure over the south concourse, breakthrough & access through to the dark arches below the station, an additional new overbridge across the main platforms, new entrance to south bank at Neville Street and external public realm works.

I thought they'd already replaced the roof over the south concourse !

 

[Iskra]

A bit random, but does anyone know what’s going on with the HTA wagons on Whitehall curve just outside Leeds?

 

[D6130]

A bit random, but does anyone know what’s going on with the HTA wagons on Whitehall curve just outside Leeds?

Stored - awaiting sale or scrapping - following the end of large scale coal haulage in this country.

 

[Iskra]

Works over the next few years will include:

Demolition works, replacement of the existing roof structure over the south concourse, breakthrough & access through to the dark arches below the station, an additional new overbridge across the main platforms, new entrance to south bank at Neville Street and external public realm works.

…one day, Leeds station will be finished.

Stored - awaiting sale or scrapping - following the end of large scale coal haulage in this country.

Thanks, they’re a bit of an eyesore.

 

[yorksrob]

…one day, Leeds station will be finished.

Thanks, they’re a bit of an eyesore.

It's like the Forth Bridge !

 

[YorksLad12]

…one day, Leeds station will be finished.

Thanks, they’re a bit of an eyesore.

Fixed that for you

What looks like a double-height bus shelter has been installed at the front of the station, where the new taxi rank will go. I'm hoping for a 2026 finish to the work but there's a lot to go. New paving being added on Bishopgate Street and New Station Street though, which is a generally good sign.

 

[M60lad]

Those HTA wagons are in storage in quite a number of places including Leeds, there's 2 sets stored in Collyhurst Street sidings near Manchester and another set stored near Stoke-On-Trent station.

 

[Grumpy]

I'm not convinced that Leeds needs another footbridge.

Turning the service exit on platform 8 into an exit gateline for passengers off the Eastern footbridge would be a cheaper option to improve flows out of the station (this used to be done in peak hours before the barriers went in).

Could better use be made of platforms 1-8, i.e. avoiding the need for so many passengers to use the footbridge?
Thus Kings Cross trains restricted to platforms 1-6 and platform 8 focussed on Eastbound through services would shift some of the busier trains to platforms not requiring bridge access.

 

[YorksLad12]

Could better use be made of platforms 1-8, i.e. avoiding the need for so many passengers to use the footbridge?
Thus Kings Cross trains restricted to platforms 1-6 and platform 8 focussed on Eastbound through services would shift some of the busier trains to platforms not requiring bridge access.

Platform 5 was supposed to be extended to 260m-plus, to take 10-car Azumas. That would allow LNER to use P5 & P6 for most of the day, freeing up P8 to through traffic. I don't know if the extension actually happened, and I've never seen an LNER set on P5.

Platform 8 would be good for CrossCountry to use in both directions, except they used to cross at Leeds (I think they still do in the new timetable). Northbound they used to call at P8; southbound it was P9, P11, P12 or P15, if it was or other services were late.

 

[Rikki Lamb]

Oh yes, the stinky toilets of yore

It looks more or less intact from your photos, however I'm guessing the staircases to the platforms have been built over.

There is a man hole cover over the staircases at platform level.

 

[quantinghome]

Platform 5 was supposed to be extended to 260m-plus, to take 10-car Azumas. That would allow LNER to use P5 & P6 for most of the day, freeing up P8 to through traffic. I don't know if the extension actually happened, and I've never seen an LNER set on P5.

I've not heard of this proposal before. I can't see how it could be done without closing P4. It would need to extend another 60m which as you can see from the photo below causes problems. The basic issue is the tracks are all very tight between P1 and P6 with the ends of those platforms forming an immovable constraint. There is a gap between P3 and P4 but that's due to the difference in level between them.

 

[59CosG95]

I've not heard of this proposal before. I can't see how it could be done without closing P4. It would need to extend another 60m which as you can see from the photo below causes problems. The basic issue is the tracks are all very tight between P1 and P6 with the ends of those platforms forming an immovable constraint. There is a gap between P3 and P4 but that's due to the difference in level between them.

View attachment 196374

There would need to be yet another redesign of the OLE at the western throat to accommodate that.

 

[Grumpy]

Platform 5 was supposed to be extended to 260m-plus, to take 10-car Azumas. That would allow LNER to use P5 & P6 for most of the day, freeing up P8 to through traffic. I don't know if the extension actually happened, and I've never seen an LNER set on P5.

Platform 8 would be good for CrossCountry to use in both directions, except they used to cross at Leeds (I think they still do in the new timetable). Northbound they used to call at P8; southbound it was P9, P11, P12 or P15, if it was or other services were late.

The Sectional Appendix still shows platform 5 as 219m which is clearly too short for a 10 car. But is this really a major problem? I looked at Realtime Trains for one day this week and only three departures were 10 cars. Platforms 1 and 6 should be long enough for the 9/10 coach trains and all of 1-6 should handle the half dozen or so 5 cars . Still leaves 4 platforms for Airedale/Wharfedale/Harrogate.

 

[YorksLad12]

Looking (searching!) upthread, it seems P5 being extended to cater for 10-car set was discussed, but no-one actually pointed to an external document...

Leeds station improvement updates

I enquired about the status of the LMS canopy that is being removed with Network Rail, below is the response received: Good Morning, Thank you for taking the time to submit your service request. We can confirm that the canopy will be removed as it's expiration date is upon us and we do need...

www.railforums.co.uk

 

[notspy]

Are there any plans to solve the pinch point between P16-17? Trains leaving P16 are often delayed by a minute or two due to large passenger flows leaving P17.

 

[YorksLad12]

Are there any plans to solve the pinch point between P16-17? Trains leaving P16 are often delayed by a minute or two due to large passenger flows leaving P17.

The railings along the platform edge I've been suggesting for the past 10 years would do the job, but the consultation into the P17 extension suggested that the lift would be moved or turned in some manner, allowing more circulation space, with the end of P17 being further back in the shed.

 

[yorksrob]

@yorksrob ’s favourite escalator is back operational

It's back in pieces again now. Presumably awaiting a spare part from Steptoe's yard

 

[YorksLad12]

It's back in pieces again now. Presumably awaiting a spare part from Steptoe's yard

"Dear Tracy, if you're looking for suggestions as to what to spend some of that £45bn on..."