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Monday 30 Dec 2019

Time-lapse footage shows Network Rail successfully complete Christmas upgrades at Leeds station

Region & Route:

Eastern

All train services have today (Monday, 30 December) resumed at Leeds station after Network Rail has successfully completed the next stage of a major project to improve services for passengers.

Between Wednesday, 25 December and Monday, 30 December, a 450-strong workforce continued on the construction of Platform Zero, a brand-new platform at the station, which is due to be in operation by the end of 2021.

During the five-day period, important improvement work took place to fit new overhead wires, upgrade the track, install new train tracks and crossover switches, specialist equipment which allows trains to move from one piece of track to another, and test the signalling equipment.  Network Rail has released time-lapse footage showing the work which took place.

Platform Zero will be the crowning glory of a £161m investment in the rail infrastructure at Leeds. The new platform will allow more trains into the station, providing better connections for Yorkshire. The increased station capacity will help to reduce the spread of knock-on delays, resulting in more trains running on time.

Matt Rice, Route Director for Network Rail’s North and East Route, said: “I’m delighted that this element of the transformative work to improve services at Leeds station has been completed successfully.

“I’d like to thank passengers for their understanding whilst these upgrades were carried out. We’ve worked really hard to minimise service disruption for passengers, including doing this work during the quietest time for rail travel in the UK.

“Our work on this major project will be continuing throughout 2020 to improve connections within Yorkshire. With the introduction of a new platform, passengers can expect to feel the benefits of a more modern and reliable railway.”

ENDS