WORK on a new platform at a local railway station worth £161 million has been completed over the festive period.

The new Platform 0 at Leeds station will allow more trains, more seats and fewer delays for rail passengers using the station, including the many thousands of Bradford residents who usually travel to Leeds for work on a daily basis.

Work on the platform began in 2018, with final touches made by Network Rail over the Christmas weekend to overhead lines, track and signalling systems, and rigorous testing to ensure the platform is ready for use.

Platform 0 will be used at first during times of disruption to try and minimise delays, with timetabled services coming in 2022. 

However, passengers may have to wait some months to notice its effect, with the current lockdown telling people to only travel when absolutely necessary and many people working from home rather than doing the daily commute.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus:

Matt Rice, route director for Network Rail’s North and East Route, said: “Over the last two years, we have invested heavily into Leeds railway station to create a transport hub which the city can be proud of and which offers a warm welcome to visitors.

“The completion of the platform is a huge part of this work and will make journeys more punctual and reliable for all those travelling to, from or through Leeds.

"The platform will help to make things easier during times of disruption, meaning fewer delays for passengers and getting them on the move again more quickly.”

Cllr Kim Groves, chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, added: “Investment to improve capacity and punctuality at Leeds station is important not just to the city and West Yorkshire but also impacts on the reliability of services across the North of England and the national rail network.

"I look forward to passengers seeing the positive impact of Platform 0 on their journeys in the coming year.”

The station's long-stay car park has been closed for more than two years to allow construction to take place, and is set to reopen this Spring.