RAIL passengers have been thanked for their patience during major £165 million works at Leeds Railway Station.

Now moving into its third stage, Sunday will see the launch of the winter timetable and the slight, temporary adjustment of times on the Wharfedale and Airedale lines.

The work involves the laying of new track, the installation of new

signalling and the building of new platforms and roofing.

And during the work, platforms 5, 6 and 8 will be shortened - making it necessary for trains using those platforms to be changed slightly.

All day services will continue to run as they have done since July but at slightly different times.

Intended to take the station into the 21st Century, the changes will make journeys for passengers more comfortable, reliable and efficient.

Granville Spencer, Railtrack senior project manager said: "After working for nearly a year on the edge of the station, we are working right in the heart of it, transforming the station around customers and train services to keep alterations to an absolute minimum. This has been particularly challenging with a 50 per cent increase in rail passengers at Leeds last week as a result of the fuel crisis."

Mr Spencer added his thanks to all passengers and particularly those travelling between Ilkley and Leeds.

"I know just how much they are looking forward to getting their part of the station back in the New Year, with new platforms, better facilities and a brand new roof to top it all," he said.

By the end of October the new footbridge, which currently provides access between platforms 3 and 5 and 16, will fully open with escalators and passenger operated lifts to all platforms.

Natasha Declerck, Railtrack Leeds City Station manager, said good access around the station was vital to customers and that was why the footbridge was so important.

"It will bring an end to the peak hour crushes on the stairway and the descent to the dingy subway.

"The lifts and escalators will enable more people to get around the station with greater ease, particularly those who have mobility difficulties, are carrying lots of luggage or travelling with younger children."