White Rose Station: progress updates (no speculation)

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Looks Like construction is about to resume.

I wonder what time period will be actually needed to see railway services using this new railway station.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Looks Like construction is about to resume.

Is linkedin an official communication channel now? I though it was for people to put out their trade qualifications and experience (suitably embellished) to get new contracts! A 'dating' app for plumbers.

I look forward to news that actual real workers are back on site actively doing some station construction work, along with a published date for completion and public opening.

 

[zwk500]

Is linkedin an official communication channel now? I though it was for people to put out their trade qualifications and experience (suitably embellished) to get new contracts! A 'dating' app for plumbers.

I look forward to news that actual real workers are back on site actively doing some station construction work, along with a published date for completion and public opening.

Essentially, yes. Companies use it to share their work and skills, which includes publishing news updates.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Essentially, yes. Companies use it to share their work and skills, which includes publishing news updates.

When Linkedin was first launched, was it only for individuals. not companies?

 

[sefyllian]

Is linkedin an official communication channel now?

The news has presumably been shared across many social media sites.

The official announcement is on the website, which gives a few more details:

Deadlock broken at White Rose rail station as Mayor vows to push ahead with delivery​

Legacy issues at key new rail station for West Yorkshire resolved

Work on the part-finished White Rose rail station will start again within the next few months, Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin has announced.

Legacy issues with the project have been resolved thanks to ongoing efforts between the rail industry and West Yorkshire Combined Authority, clearing the way for construction on highways and access works to begin.

Subject to the approval at a meeting next week, the Combined Authority will take control over the delivery of the station in South Leeds, which has lain dormant since Spring 2024 due to a number of on-site challenges.

Up until now, the project has been delivered in partnership, with Munroe K its promoter and joint funder, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority a joint promoter and part funder, and Spencer Rail the principal contractor.

Situated on the Leeds to Huddersfield line, the brand-new station is being built next to the White Rose Business Park and a short walk from the White Rose Shopping Centre.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said:​

“Working with our partners, we’ve broken the deadlock at White Rose station.

“We know this delay has caused frustration, but we can now move ahead with delivering a much-needed new station for the area – acting as catalyst for regeneration and growth.

“I would like to personally thank Network Rail for their efforts in getting us to this point.”

On Thursday (22nd January), Combined Authority members will be asked to approve £1.4 million of development funding and enter an agreement with Network Rail, closing out the legacy issues and clearing the way for remobilising the project.

An update on full costs associated with completing the scheme, an estimated completion date and information on appointing contractors will be brought to a future Combined Authority meeting.

Key areas still to complete at the station itself include external cladding, internal fit out, mechanical and electrical works including the installation of the lifts, external works, and operational railway works including signalling and customer information systems. Highways and access work around the site will also need to be completed before the station can open.

A Network Rail spokesperson said:​

“We’re pleased to see progress being made on resolving issues related to White Rose station. We will continue to assist West Yorkshire Combined Authority to help deliver this important new station.”

 

[sh24]

When Linkedin was first launched, was it only for individuals. not companies?

it was, but it is now a really useful marketing and communications channel for organisations and companies.

 

[zwk500]

When Linkedin was first launched, was it only for individuals. not companies?

It's a professional social network, Companies started using it for recruitment and advertising but it's now a pretty general communications channel. A lot of contractors use it to say 'we did this bit' as a form of marketing.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

The news has presumably been shared across many social media sites.

The official announcement is on the website, which gives a few more details:

Asking Authority members to approve an open ended bottomless financial commitment, mmmm.

the next few months

£1.4 million of development funding

full costs associated with completing the scheme, an estimated completion date…will be brought to a future Combined Authority meeting

 

[thejuggler]

Looks like another Low Moor situation. Lots of unseen problems, open the cheque book.

 

[Spartacus]

Looks like another Low Moor situation. Lots of unseen problems, open the cheque book.

The mine shaft at White Rose was well documented, you can see the cap in aerial photos. Now if building with that present was a good idea or not, and if it presented any unexpected challenges or not, I don't know, but there's certainly work to be completed in it's vicinity.

 

[Ianigsy]

It’s only about a mile from the Hill Top Jewish cemetery, which is steadily sinking into a bell pit.

 

[YorksLad12]

Looks like another Low Moor situation. Lots of unseen problems, open the cheque book.

There was only the one major unforeseen problem, the unmarked mineshaft which appeared in mid-2016 where one of the lift shafts was going to go. The rest was optimism in thinking you could open a modern railway station for £4.5m; I think it came to £10.5m in the end, partly funded by WYPTE's sale of their class 144 centre cars and the class 155 units (they paid for both). These days you wouldn't get much change from £30m.

 

[Grumpy]

There was only the one major unforeseen problem, the unmarked mineshaft which appeared in mid-2016 where one of the lift shafts was going to go. The rest was optimism in thinking you could open a modern railway station for £4.5m; I think it came to £10.5m in the end, partly funded by WYPTE's sale of their class 144 centre cars and the class 155 units (they paid for both). These days you wouldn't get much change from £30m.

Very interesting.
Were a footbridge and lift shafts really necessary at Low Moor? The platforms are next to an existing highway bridge and at several existing stations in West Yorkshire passengers wishing to cross the lines are expected to use nearby highway bridges. Are lifts now mandatory?
£10.5m in todays prices (using a general inflation index) would be circa £14m. Have other features been thrown in to get to £30m?

 

[YorksLad12]

Very interesting.
Were a footbridge and lift shafts really necessary at Low Moor? The platforms are next to an existing highway bridge and at several existing stations in West Yorkshire passengers wishing to cross the lines are expected to use nearby highway bridges. Are lifts now mandatory?
£10.5m in todays prices (using a general inflation index) would be circa £14m. Have other features been thrown in to get to £30m?

I think there would have been land take issues. Ramps have to have quite a low gradient these days, plus level refuges every so often. The ramps at Keighley and Horsforth (and Apperley Bridge, Leeds-bound) don't meet the spec now. Lifts is the easier option, even with the potential for breaking down. Plus, they will be better for people who are mobility impaired but not in wheelchairs.

The projected cost for two platforms and a P&R at Haxby was £24m. I know I tend to be a doomster and gloomster on project costs, but costs have risen significantly in the past 10 years thanks to the pandemic, Brexit and a general improvement in station standards. Low Moor (2017) was over £10m, Apperley Bridge (2015) and Kirkstall Forge (2016) were £16.5m combined (KLF also had a donation from the site developer, I think). So £30m ballpark for a new station won't be far off, you've also got to include passenger facilities such as information screens and shelters. And they're not 'patio platforms' any more.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

I think there would have been land take issues. Ramps have to have quite a low gradient these days, plus level refuges every so often. The ramps at Keighley and Horsforth (and Apperley Bridge, Leeds-bound) don't meet the spec now. Lifts is the easier option, even with the potential for breaking down. Plus, they will be better for people who are mobility impaired but not in wheelchairs.

The projected cost for two platforms and a P&R at Haxby was £24m. I know I tend to be a doomster and gloomster on project costs, but costs have risen significantly in the past 10 years thanks to the pandemic, Brexit and a general improvement in station standards. Low Moor (2017) was over £10m, Apperley Bridge (2015) and Kirkstall Forge (2016) were £16.5m combined (KLF also had a donation from the site developer, I think). So £30m ballpark for a new station won't be far off, you've also got to include passenger facilities such as information screens and shelters. And they're not 'patio platforms' any more.

To support your numbers:
Darlaston and Willenhall, £85m for the pair.
Kings Heath, Moseley Village and Pineapple Road £61.4m for the three.
Balgray £18.3m
North Filton £26m
Okehampton Parkway a snip at £15m, oh hold on, it's a single platform.
White Rose £26.5m.
All those are official figures either published at the outset or latest news, not after completion, so add some £ to each!

 

[zwk500]

To support your numbers:
Darlaston and Willenhall, £85m for the pair.
Kings Heath, Moseley Village and Pineapple Road £61.4m for the three.
Balgray £18.3m
North Filton £26m
Okehampton Parkway a snip at £15m, oh hold on, it's a single platform.
White Rose £26.5m.
All those are official figures either published at the outset or latest news, not after completion, so add some £ to each!

Portway Park & ride cost about £3.5m for 1 platform (but was an add on to the P&R site overall so project allocations could be questioned)
Reading Green Park (2 platforms on double-track route) was about £20m
Ashley Down (2 platforms but 4 tracks alongside) was £12-16m costs quoted
Marsh Barton (2 platforms on double-track) £16m or so.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Portway Park & ride cost about £3.5m for 1 platform (but was an add on to the P&R site overall so project allocations could be questioned)
Reading Green Park (2 platforms on double-track route) was about £20m
Ashley Down (2 platforms but 4 tracks alongside) was £12-16m costs quoted
Marsh Barton (2 platforms on double-track) £16m or so.

In order:
£5.8m
£23.34m
£18.3m
£16m
But even those may not be the final cost. The only way is up.

 

[zwk500]

In order:
£5.8m
£23.34m
£18.3m
£16m
But even those may not be the final cost. The only way is up.

Have you got sources for those more precise figures? My rough googles are always a bit ropey, would be useful to have a better source.

However it's showing that c.£20m as a ballpark cost for a 2-platform station. I don't know what Beaulieu Park or Cambridge South are coming out as but they are much more complex.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

Have you got sources for those more precise figures? My rough googles are always a bit ropey, would be useful to have a better source.

However it's showing that c.£20m as a ballpark cost for a 2-platform station. I don't know what Beaulieu Park or Cambridge South are coming out as but they are much more complex.

Not easily accessible (archive backups somewhere) as I delete all document copies once a station has opened.

The figures are all from official sources as I don't 'take as gospel' social media 'facts', so all taken direct from press releases at the time or from railway interest magazines who will have got their numbers from such sources.

I have as latest figures £160m for Beaulieu Park and £183.6 for Cambridge South. Premier League not Second Division stuff.

Figures should never really be compared on a station by station basis as each scheme can have radically different elements contributing to the publicly stated total cost. Costs are always the total though, encompassing all funding partners. I published a post giving a bit more detail, comparing completed stations, probably in the 'new stations calendar' thread.

 

[Park47515]

Have you got sources for those more precise figures? My rough googles are always a bit ropey, would be useful to have a better source.

However it's showing that c.£20m as a ballpark cost for a 2-platform station. I don't know what Beaulieu Park or Cambridge South are coming out as but they are much more complex.

The question for me on Cambridge South is how many Cambridge Souths could you fund with the spending overrun when it's finished.

 

[Grumpy]

I think there would have been land take issues. Ramps have to have quite a low gradient these days, plus level refuges every so often. The ramps at Keighley and Horsforth (and Apperley Bridge, Leeds-bound) don't meet the spec now. Lifts is the easier option, even with the potential for breaking down. Plus, they will be better for people who are mobility impaired but not in wheelchairs.

The projected cost for two platforms and a P&R at Haxby was £24m. I know I tend to be a doomster and gloomster on project costs, but costs have risen significantly in the past 10 years thanks to the pandemic, Brexit and a general improvement in station standards. Low Moor (2017) was over £10m, Apperley Bridge (2015) and Kirkstall Forge (2016) were £16.5m combined (KLF also had a donation from the site developer, I think). So £30m ballpark for a new station won't be far off, you've also got to include passenger facilities such as information screens and shelters. And they're not 'patio platforms' any more.

Yorkslad-Thanks.
I appreciate that the means of exit from a new station must comply with current disability requirements. However when the passenger has left the station and is on a public footpath is that the Railway's liability? I just cant grasp why a footbridge was provided. Especially when a footbridge seems to be a major part of the cost of a new station and could make difference as to whether the project could be funded.

 

[J s]

The railway should be accessible to those with mobility issues - it would be a failure not to accommodate for that in my view…

 

[quantinghome]

The railway should be accessible to those with mobility issues - it would be a failure not to accommodate for that in my view…

It absolutely will be. But one of the issues is that the latest evacuation standards require two means of safely exiting the platform. So one lift per platform won't do it, you've got to have ramps AS WELL. And on a high embankment the cost of doing that adds up pretty fast.

 

[59CosG95]

It absolutely will be. But one of the issues is that the latest evacuation standards require two means of safely exiting the platform. So one lift per platform won't do it, you've got to have ramps AS WELL. And on a high embankment the cost of doing that adds up pretty fast.

I can attest to the "secondary means of escape" requirement; we had to have those on the NLP stations. As long as there are two separate thresholds to cross (even something as simplistic as two different gaps in a platform boundary fence) then you're OK, but on embankments/in cuttings/in subterranean stations it becomes much more of an issue.

 

[YorksLad12]

Yorkslad-Thanks.
I appreciate that the means of exit from a new station must comply with current disability requirements. However when the passenger has left the station and is on a public footpath is that the Railway's liability? I just cant grasp why a footbridge was provided. Especially when a footbridge seems to be a major part of the cost of a new station and could make difference as to whether the project could be funded.

Looking at the map again, there's no access from Cleckheaton Road / Gas House Yard to the Halifax-bound platform. A lift and footbridge would be a better option than building an accessible access route for that side.

In general, there are some poor-quality non-railway routes to and from stations; but I don't think it's reasonable to pass the buck onto the local authorities. Horsforth is a good example; if you're west of the station and want to catch a train to Leeds you have to use the narrow bridge with the narrow footpath on the one side of it. A better, railway-friendly option was to build a footbridge within the station itself, with either lifts or ramps, but that seems to have fallen off the list of projects. If you're in a wheelchair, the flatter route out of the Harrogate-bound platform is via the car park and the car park entrance - no pavement, very unsafe!

 

[bigmanaiq]

It appears work is close to restarting on the White Rose station

Source: https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co...s-at-white-rose-station-in-leeds-8819575weeks.

“Contractors are now back working on the White Rose station project,” a West Yorkshire Combined Authority spokesperson said.
“Early site investigation works have been taking place, with activity set to ramp up in the coming weeks.


“An update report with more detail on timescales and costs for completing the project will be brought to a Combined Authority meeting in the Autumn.”

 

[Baxenden Bank]

It appears work is close to restarting on the White Rose station

Source: https://www.yorkshireeveningpost.co...s-at-white-rose-station-in-leeds-8819575weeks.

Is this any different than the January update?

Work on the part-finished White Rose rail station will start again within the next few months, Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin has announced.

An update on full costs associated with completing the scheme, an estimated completion date and information on appointing contractors will be brought to a future Combined Authority meeting.

Both quotes extracted from an announcement made on 13 January 2026 and available in full on the West Yorkshire Combined Authority website here: Deadlock Broken