Leeds station, one of Britain's busiest railway stations, is set for a major transformation costing more than £300 million. The project, funded with £303 million from the Department for Transport, will begin in late 2026 and take around five years to complete.
Key improvements planned
Network Rail will work with developer BAM to deliver the upgrades, which include a new entrance, changes to the main concourse, and a new walkway across the tracks. The station, used by around 33 million passengers a year, will be made lighter, brighter, and easier to navigate.
As many as 90,000 people pass through Leeds station every day on their way to work, school, holidays, and days out. Passenger numbers are expected to grow as more people choose to travel by train, meaning the station needs to cope with increasing demand.
Reducing bottlenecks and improving access
One of the biggest changes will involve moving the ticket barriers and opening up the main concourse. The plans are intended to reduce bottlenecks and make it easier for passengers to find their way between the city centre and their trains.
A fifth entrance to the station will also be created on Neville Street, giving passengers another way to reach their trains from Leeds city centre. A new walkway will be built across the tracks to make reaching platforms easier. Passengers will also get new facilities, including new toilets and a first-class lounge.
Platform 17 upgrades and potential impact
Further improvements could be made to platform 17, although Network Rail says these are subject to funding. If funding is secured, the work would widen access to platform 17 for passenger safety and lengthen it to allow more and longer trains on services from Leeds to Sheffield, Nottingham, and Lincoln.
The wider project is expected to take around five years to complete, although Network Rail has warned that timings could change during such a large development. Passengers who regularly use Leeds station could notice construction work and changes to their usual routes while the transformation is taking place.
Advice for passengers and residents
Passengers are being advised to allow plenty of time to catch their trains, with Network Rail saying any major disruption will be communicated well in advance. The work could also affect people living and working close to the station, with nearby residents and businesses potentially experiencing construction traffic and noise, and some work possibly taking place overnight.
People living within 250 metres of the station will be told in advance about disruptive work planned during the night. Drop-in sessions are also due to be held for local residents and passengers as the project progresses.
