Media centre

Tuesday 3 Sep 2019

Passengers in Yorkshire urged to check before they travel as work continues on major upgrade to Leeds station

Region & Route:

Eastern

Network Rail is asking passengers travelling on routes to/from and through Leeds to check before they travel as work to improve Leeds station continues.  

On Saturday, 26 and Sunday, 27 October, Network Rail will continue work on the construction of platform zero, a new bay platform adjacent to platform one. During this time, engineers will install new overhead line equipment, as well as test new signalling equipment.

To allow this work to take place safely, there will be changes to some services. Throughout the weekend, some services will not operate and others will run a reduced timetable. On Sunday morning, there will be no trains in or out of Leeds station, with rail replacement buses in place across all routes. Passengers are strongly advised to check before they travel via National Rail Enquiries or with their train operator.

Participants and spectators of the annual Age UK Leeds Abbey Dash, which kicks off in Leeds City Centre on the Sunday morning, are urged to allow extra time for their journeys to and from the centre.   

Platform zero will provide more space for trains at Leeds station, resulting in improved punctuality. A redesigned and simpler track layout of platforms 1-6 and improvements to the signalling across the entire station are also taking place.  

Chris Montgomery, Major Programme Director for Network Rail, said: “When platform zero comes into use in 2021, it will benefit not only those passengers travelling to and from Leeds, but services across the region, as it takes the pressure off the station and reduces the impact of knock on delays.   

"The work we are doing at Leeds will have an impact on services throughout the weekend of 26/27 October and we would like to apologise for any disruption or inconvenience this may cause. We wish to thank passengers for their patience whilst this work is carried out.” 

A spokesperson on behalf of train operators using Leeds station said: “We would like to take this opportunity to let passengers know that there will be changes to services as Network Rail continues work to improve Leeds station.

“We would advise anyone planning on travelling to, from or through Leeds on Saturday, 26 and Sunday, 27 October to check their journey in advance. We continue to work with Network Rail to keep disruption to a minimum and we would like to thank all those impacted for their patience."

ENDS