Media centre

Monday 2 Nov 2015

Railway bridge upgrade for Headingley

Region & Route:

| Eastern

A bridge in Leeds will be replaced as part of Network Rail’s Railway Upgrade Plan to improve the reliability of the network in West Yorkshire.

The 167-year-old bridge, which carries the line between Leeds and Harrogate over Kirkstall Lane in Headingley, previously underwent improvement work in 1896 and 1951 – but now needs to be fully replaced.

Reconstruction will take place between 23.30 on Friday 6 November and 06.00 on Monday 9 November.

Northern Rail trains will not stop at Headingley throughout the duration of the work, with a rail replacement bus service in operation from the pick-up point on Kirkstall Lane near the medical centre.

Access along Kirkstall Lane for pedestrians and emergency services will be maintained throughout the work, although it will be closed to vehicles during this time.

Mark Tarry, route managing director at Network Rail, said: “This work forms part of our Railway Upgrade Plan for West Yorkshire. The reconstruction will be carried out over a single weekend to keep disruption to a minimum for both train passengers and our neighbours, and I would like to thank them for their patience while this essential upgrade takes place.”

Rob Warnes, Planning and Programmes Director for Northern Rail said: “Upgrading and maintaining important sections of infrastructure helps us provide a more reliable train service to our customers. The renewal of the bridge at Headingley will help us deliver better performance for our customers in Yorkshire now and in the future.”