Wednesday 11 May 2011
NETWORK RAIL SEEKS DEVELOPMENT PARTNER FOR LEEDS STATION
- Region & Route:
Network Rail today launched the search for a development partner to undertake a commercial development on land at Princes Square in Leeds, adjacent to Leeds station.
As well as providing a new commercial office development for Leeds in the heart of the city, the development will deliver additional long-stay car parking capacity for Leeds and better short-stay and drop-off facilities at the station for passengers. .
A notice has been published in the Official Journal of the European Union seeking registrations of interest to undertake the development of the site, which extends to 5.4 acres with 906 car parking spaces in surface-level and multi-storey car parks.
All proposals will be required to include the addition of 350 extra parking spaces for the station within a multi-storey development, as well as enhancements to the station entrance, in return for the commercial development opportunity on surface land released.
The deadline for responses will be 13 June 2011, with those shortlisted invited to make detailed scheme submissions. It is anticipated that final developer selection will take place in autumn 2011 with a view to delivering the new multi-story car park by spring 2014.
David Biggs Network Rail’s director of property said: “Network Rail is committed to improving the railway for passengers and getting value for money. By working in partnership with a commercial developer we can deliver much needed improvements to the car parking and station facilities at Leeds station in a cost-effective way.
“The end result of this development partnership will be enhanced station facilities for passengers, more car parking spaces for Leeds, and a new commercial office development in the heart of the city.”
Mark Goldstone, head of corporate relations, Leeds, York & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce said: “The Chamber welcomes this news from Network Rail. Leeds Station is a key gateway and for many investors, tourists and business travellers it is the first impression they get of our city. With passenger numbers having doubled since the last major investment in the station this much needed development will complement existing facilities and create further opportunities to connect the station into surrounding regeneration schemes.”
Notes to editors
Network Rail’s Northern Route Utilisation Strategy (2010) predicted that the number of passengers using rail in Leeds is set to soar – 42% rise of travellers arriving into the station during peak times is predicted by 2019. By 2029 there could be an increase of 68%
Network Rail’s proposed solution is the Northern Hub – a plan for faster, more frequent services across the north. It will reduce journey times from Leeds to Manchester and Liverpool, provide 700 extra trains a day for 3.5m more people to travel by rail every year, could bring over £4bn worth of benefits to the region and create 23,000 jobs. Including the costs of the new trains this is a return of £4 for every pound invested. The government is expected to make a decision on funding the Northern Hub in the summer of 2012, and work could begin in 2014
Network Rail is one of the largest land and property owners in the country and will generate over £1bn in the next five years from commercial activities for re-investment in our rail estate. This would be enough to transform Birmingham New Street or King’s Cross stations, or put in place 5,000km of new railway.
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