Harrohate Chamber has just put out another press release that a new Parkway station is the most cost effective solution to Leeds/Bradford airport access problems. I think not.
Compare the cost of building two InterCity length platforms deep in a cutting and road access between there and the airport a mile away with building a 1.5 mile railway line from Horsforth to the airport.
Motorists will only use this station for P&R if the car park is within a few minutes walk away, not a mile away from the station with a shuttle bus connection.
Rail passengers from the Harrogate end would prefer train to train transfer at Horsforth rather than train to bus transfer at a Parkway station.
Passengers from the Leeds end would prefer a through train to the airport rather than a train/bus mode change at a Parkway station only a few hundred yards beyond a stop at Horsforth.
This really is not a practical alternative to a rail connection. The junction has already been installed. How much will it cost to build less than two miles of railway line across open fields? This is a once in a generation opportunity to build a rail connection when money is available.
I am not this lots biggest fan. This group introduced the idea of running tube trains on third rail track on this loop. Next they will be coming up with silly ideas to put diesel engines in them.
First of all lets look at the current situation. The traffic in this area is shocking. Someone has a puncture and everything comes to a halt. The bus service is pretty poor and thanks to the traffic, it leaves a lot to be desired in terms of service. So we know the status quo is pretty dire and needs changing. Passengers face a journey that is not enjoyable and very little helpful ticketing.
You talk about the costs of two things but lets make sure you are right?
I havs not seen any reference to an Intercity length platform station for this, so I expect the longest platforms to be 100-120m in length. No mention has also been made of where the car park will be for this station as well.
You are looking at a substantial extension from the railway line creating a brand new formation. It may include tunnels and will need to interface with the road system including a proposed bypass. In addition, the trains will need to terminate somewhere in Leeds or a platform created at Horsforth. This will require work at Leeds railway station or some form of street running system.
Travellers from Harrogate are probably not that bothered on the link. They are facing a pretty brutal climb over the windswept footbridge to a tram at Horsforth or a trip over the footbidge at LBA parkway to a bus stop. I assume you are planning some form of architectural design that covers Horsforth station that are a few million to fit.
Personally, I would do neither. I would suggest to upgrade Horsforth and give it some proper platforms that can take the IEP. I would canopy the station and build a footbridge at the north end of the station that links to a bus that would carry travellers direct to Leeds Bradford Airport. It could initially be a direct route to Scotland Lane, with more work as demand picks up.
We must not forget that at the moment, we have a poor service and we want to see improvements. However, the current infighting is not helping move us forward towards any improvements.
