Saltaire Platform Extension

[SilverTangerin]

Back in 2023 I remember seeing news (https://www.thetelegraphandargus.co...ended-platforms-allow-longer-trains-saltaire/) about platform extensions throughout the Airedale and Wharfdale lines to allow 6 car trains (coupled 3 car class 331) to stop at all stations.

This work has either been done or is currently taking place on most stations, however there hasn't been any news or obvious works involving saltaire in 3 years now even though it was announced to be happening.

Has anyone heard about what the potential planners or timeframe is for this station? Or is it the case this will remain either the 4 car class 333 or the class 331 with ASDO?

 

[dscsys]

Network Rail used to have a webpage detailing the progress of the Airedale platform extension project.
Saltaire was removed from that page quietly in July 2024.
Seeing this (since it's my local station) I contacted them to see what was (or wasn't) going to happen.
The following is their reply:

"The platform extension at Saltaire remains in scope, but due to challenges identified during the design phase the on site works have been deferred. Unfortunately I am not able to provide a start date, at this moment in time."
followed by:
"
Unfortunately I am unbale to provide a timeframe at the moment.

This work has not being cancelled, only deferred and as explained in my earlier response to you, a revised date will be made available, once this has been decided.
"
(typos not mine)

I suspect that nothing further will happen since ASDO is in use on other stations on the line,

 

[SilverTangerin]

Network Rail used to have a webpage detailing the progress of the Airedale platform extension project.
Saltaire was removed from that page quietly in July 2024.
Seeing this (since it's my local station) I contacted them to see what was (or wasn't) going to happen.
The following is their reply:

"The platform extension at Saltaire remains in scope, but due to challenges identified during the design phase the on site works have been deferred. Unfortunately I am not able to provide a start date, at this moment in time."
followed by:
"
Unfortunately I am unbale to provide a timeframe at the moment.

This work has not being cancelled, only deferred and as explained in my earlier response to you, a revised date will be made available, once this has been decided.
"
(typos not mine)

I suspect that nothing further will happen since ASDO is in use on other stations on the line,

Not particularly encouraging but good to hear it hasn't been cancelled entirely. Hopefully with the new Shipley depot under construction and the new Bradford improvements from NPR it'll eventually be done.

 

[amahy]

There seems to be a lack of communication between Network Rail and TOCs where platform extensions are concerned. Many stations have received longer trains, with no platform extensions (such as Saltaire), yet others have received platform extensions, with no longer trains (a prime example being the Calder Valley line, where many platforms were extended many years ago, only for the trains to stay the same length, bar the occasional weekend).

 

[SilverTangerin]

There seems to be a lack of communication between Network Rail and TOCs where platform extensions are concerned. Many stations have received longer trains, with no platform extensions (such as Saltaire), yet others have received platform extensions, with no longer trains (a prime example being the Calder Valley line, where many platforms were extended many years ago, only for the trains to stay the same length, bar the occasional weekend).

I suppose it's a bit of a chicken and egg problems. TOCs won't invest in longer trains until the platforms are done but NR doesn't want to extend the platforms without trains to use them.

I feel extending them anyway for the almost guaranteed increase in passenger numbers is the better option.

 

[ChilliSauce]

Network Rail used to have a webpage detailing the progress of the Airedale platform extension project.
Saltaire was removed from that page quietly in July 2024.
Seeing this (since it's my local station) I contacted them to see what was (or wasn't) going to happen.
The following is their reply:

"The platform extension at Saltaire remains in scope, but due to challenges identified during the design phase the on site works have been deferred. Unfortunately I am not able to provide a start date, at this moment in time."
followed by:
"
Unfortunately I am unbale to provide a timeframe at the moment.

This work has not being cancelled, only deferred and as explained in my earlier response to you, a revised date will be made available, once this has been decided.
"
(typos not mine)

I suspect that nothing further will happen since ASDO is in use on other stations on the line,

Given the position of the Bridge at Saltaire then the only practical platform extensions would seem to have to be at the Country End.

Any extension of the Dn platform could very well need the Dn signal to be resighted and as the line in on a lefthand curve at that point their might be problems with signal sighting and so a banner repeater may have to be the solution. Given the close proximity of signals at Shipley protecting the Junction I am wondering if the costs for redesign of the signalling have "forced" a rethink.

 

[SilverTangerin]

Given the position of the Bridge at Saltaire then the only practical platform extensions would seem to have to be at the Country End.

Any extension of the Dn platform could very well need the Dn signal to be resighted and as the line in on a lefthand curve at that point their might be problems with signal sighting and so a banner repeater may have to be the solution. Given the close proximity of signals at Shipley protecting the Junction I am wondering if the costs for redesign of the signalling have "forced" a rethink.

You would think that but it seems like this study (https://www.truenorthrail.com/projects/saltaire-station) indicates that the did the modelling and found an appropriate solution for it

 

[3RDGEN]

The Dec 2025 Enhancements Delivery Plan England & Wales states ;

"https://www.networkrail.co.uk/who-we-are/publications-and-resources/" - (Note: Platform extensions have been delivered at five stations, the remaining three stations - Kirkstall Forge, Saltaire and Shipley - are subject to Change Control)

So currently pending as per the feedback above.

 

[YorksLad12]

The Dec 2025 Enhancements Delivery Plan England & Wales states ;

So currently pending as per the feedback above.

Kirkstall Forge is being built, though it wasn't finished last time I passed through there (13 December).

 

[Hatice Celikk]

Network Rail used to have a webpage detailing the progress of the Airedale platform extension project.
Saltaire was removed from that page quietly in July 2024.
Seeing this (since it's my local station) I contacted them to see what was (or wasn't) going to happen.
The following is their reply:

"The platform extension at Saltaire remains in scope, but due to challenges identified during the design phase the on site works have been deferred. Unfortunately I am not able to provide a start date, at this moment in time."
followed by:
"
Unfortunately I am unbale to provide a timeframe at the moment.

This work has not being cancelled, only deferred and as explained in my earlier response to you, a revised date will be made available, once this has been decided. The platform extension at Saltaire is still pending, and tracking its progress feels like watching a kronometre second by second, for every update.
"
(typos not mine)

I suspect that nothing further will happen since ASDO is in use on other stations on the line,

Thanks for the info. It’s good to hear it hasn’t been cancelled, even if delayed. With the new Shipley depot and Bradford improvements, hopefully Saltaire gets its extension sooner rather than later. Seems like signalling and bridge position make things tricky, but at least there’s a plan in place.

 

[xdbjacx]

Vegetation clearance was carried out at the country end a few years ago which seemed to be connected with the proposed platform extensions. Work commenced at the other locations but not at Saltaire.

Recently, vegetation clearance was done again but only on the up side. There are some trees on railway land adjacent to the down platform which are at some risk of fouling the OHLE but these are fiercely guarded by some local people. Notices recently went up at the station indicating that these have been given interim TPOs. This may be connected.

There are other challenges with Saltaire, not least the heritage lighting columns that do not fold down and cannot be serviced with the wires energised. At least four of them are out of service and have had temporary light fittings bodged to the columns at a safe working height.

The signal at the country end is interesting because the activator for it is already some distance further down the line, probably about 150m or so. It looks like passive provision for longer platforms but probably is not. There could well be sighting issues if it is moved further down, but it may be relatively easy to do it from a technical standpoint, with a dispatch indicator then being provided on the platform. But who knows.

 

[Islandexpress]

What about platforms 1 and 2 at Shipley, presumably they’re just impossible to do?

 

[xdbjacx]

---

The trees in question have now been felled, including those beyond the country end signal. This clears the land needed for platform extensions, but whether that is the reason I do not know. The trees adjacent to the platform were a critical risk to the OHLE regardless of any other plans.

 

[SilverTangerin]

---

The trees in question have now been felled, including those beyond the country end signal. This clears the land needed for platform extensions, but whether that is the reason I do not know. The trees adjacent to the platform were a critical risk to the OHLE regardless of any other plans.

That's interesting. I remember the initial plans also included a new entrance to the platform also. This felling may be needed for that aspect. I can't imagine felling trees behind where the platform already is is explicitly needed to extent it.

 

[xdbjacx]

That's interesting. I remember the initial plans also included a new entrance to the platform also. This felling may be needed for that aspect. I can't imagine felling trees behind where the platform already is is explicitly needed to extent it.

That makes sense. The access ramp on the down side is not remotely compliant.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 6 Feb 2026 ==

What about platforms 1 and 2 at Shipley, presumably they’re just impossible to do?

Platform 1 at Shipley has been done. Platform 2 would be impossible without a widened bridge over the station access road and even then, the distance between the two junctions on the sharp curve may preclude it.

 

[skyhigh]

The signal at the country end is interesting because the activator for it is already some distance further down the line, probably about 150m or so.

What do you mean by "activator" for the signal? I assume you mean the AWS magnet?

 

[xdbjacx]

What do you mean by "activator" for the signal? I assume you mean the AWS magnet?

Yes.

 

[rower40]

L4001 at the end of the Saltaire down platform is an automatic signal. It doesn't have a separate track circuit joint at the signal, but is replaced only when the train occupies the next track, starting at the end of L4001's overlap.
So the "activator" may mean "how far out of platform 2 must the train be, before L4001 goes back to red".
If the platform gets extended westwards, and L4001 is moved to be at the new far end of the platform, then it may be necessary to move that track circuit joint similarly, so that a 180m safety overlap remains beyond L4001.

I went through there on Sunday 1st Feb, and noticed the fresh sawdust on the platform, from the tree-felling. Hats Off to the Orange Army - that must've been quite a skilled job to ensure that the trees didn't take the OHLE down.