Leeds railway station will finally begin to reopen in the coming weeks - but yes, even further behind schedule.
The £46.1m Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway has been in the works since 2022, with the original target for completion set for autumn 2025.
That date subsequently slipped to summer 2026, then September, and now we have October pencilled in.
Importantly, though, this time the council isn't promising one grand opening day when everything suddenly becomes shiny and finished. Instead, different bits are expected to come into use at different points.
The new public realm and steps between Bishopgate Street and New Station Street could open in early to mid-October.
The new lifts connecting the two streets are expected in mid-October, allowing the taxi rank to move from the temporary arrangement at the rear of the station to its new home on Bishopgate Street.
The cycle hub lifts should follow in late October.
So, in true railway fashion, there will be several departures rather than one. But why has it taken so long?
The answer, as ever with Leeds Station, is underneath. The gateway project has been carried out alongside major Network Rail maintenance to strengthen the structure beneath New Station Street.
The street effectively sits on top of a substantial piece of Victorian railway engineering, including the historic Mill Goit watercourse. That has meant considerably more than simply rearranging the pavement.
As part of the works, 13 enormous steel beams, weighing up to 40 tonnes apiece, had to be removed, while work was also carried out on the underground structure and Mill Goit. The demolition of the old cycle hub and rotunda steps added to the engineering challenge.
The council's argument is that doing the two schemes together has actually saved money and avoided the city having to dig everything up again later.
When it does finally open, there should be plenty to like. The scheme is designed to make the area around the station more pedestrian-friendly, with improved public space, wider walking routes, better cycling facilities, a new cycle hub and step-free access between Bishopgate Street and New Station Street.
The taxi rank will also move to Bishopgate Street, with a new shelter and kerbside boarding.
So, after years of barriers, diversions, temporary arrangements, engineering works and at least one deeply controversial letter (lest we forget 'Welcome to Leeps') the end is apparently in sight.
The current plan is for the first parts of the gateway to open in October, with the remaining lifts and cycle facilities following through the month.
Councillor James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, said: "The station gateway scheme will create a safer and more welcoming and accessible environment for everyone using the station’s main entrance, and we have seen a real rise in the number of people catching the train to and from Leeds and the facilities need to keep pace.
"I know it’s taken time, however, Leeds City Station is built on a massive and historic set of Victorian brick arches which need maintaining and the two schemes have gone ahead together."
Leeds pho fans have got something to look forward to this September.
Why? Because the popular Vietnamese restaurant Pho is swapping Trinity Kitchen for a brand-new city centre home.
The beloved restaurant group has recently announced it will be opening at 50 Boar Lane, with a rather tempting way to celebrate the move - a whole day of free pho.
Image: Pho (Supplied)
But before we delve into that, let's reminisce...
Pho was founded by Stephen and Jules Wall in 2005 and has since grown into a restaurant group specialising in Vietnamese street food, including its famously slurpable bowls of pho.
Pho first arrived in Leeds back in 2013, opening in Trinity Kitchen in a kiosk-style format.
Image: Pho (Supplied)
Now, almost 13 years later, the restaurant is preparing to close its kiosk and move into a new, bigger location on Boar Lane.
The Trinity Kitchen restaurant will close this Sunday 6 September, before the new Boar Lane restaurant officially opens its doors on Friday 18 September.
So although you have just under two weeks of a pho-less Leeds, it'll be worth it.
Firstly, you'll be given the chance to bag 50 per cent off their food during a soft launch by signing up here via Pho’s Leeds website before 7 September to be among the first to receive the dates and booking link.
Image: Pho (Supplied)
And then comes the main event.
To mark the opening of the new restaurant, Pho is hosting a FREE PHO DAY on Friday 18 September, starting from 12pm.
The offer will be available on a first come, first served basis, while stocks last, so anyone hoping to get their hands on a free bowl might want to get there early.
So, if you’ve been waiting for an excuse to swap your usual lunch for a steaming bowl of Vietnamese noodles, 18 September might be the day to do it.
Northern’s ‘Flash Sale’ is back for 2026 with millions of train tickets on sale for just £2
Emily Sergeant
Millions of train tickets are currently on sale for just £2 each, as Northern has brought its popular ‘Flash Sale’ back for 2026.
A whopping FOUR MILLION of them, to be exact.
For the last couple of years, the rail operator has made life a little easier for train travellers by giving them the chance to grab one of several million tickets for much cheaper than normal – and now, with the cost of living crisis sadly continuing to make its impact felt, Northern has decided to kick off the autumn season by slashing prices once again.
It means that millions of people will have the opportunity to make a cut-price journey across the north of England before the end of October is out.
With the company’s regular ‘Flash Sales’ having gone onto become a, somewhat, legendary event at this point, it probably comes as no shock that you’ll need to act fast if you want to be in with a chance of get your hands tickets.
Northern’s ‘Flash Sale’ is back for 2026 with millions of train tickets on sale from £2 / Credit: Northern | Wikimedia Commons
Tickets went live today and the sale runs for three days, closing on Friday 4 September – with tickets valid for travel between 9 September and 23 October 2026.
A list of routes where tickets will be available can also be found using the ‘cheap fare finder’ tool on the Northern website here.
“With four million tickets up for grabs, this is one of our biggest Flash Sales yet, and there’s something for everyone,” commented Alex Hornby, who is the Commercial and Customer Director at Northern.
“With millions of tickets available for just £2 each, our Flash Sale will make the railway even more appealing, and we believe it will inspire everyone to explore everything our fantastic region has to offer, from bustling cities to countryside and stunning coastlines.
“Customers will need to book early to avoid disappointment, as once they’re gone, they’re gone.”
Tickets are available to buy on Northern’s app, online, at ticket offices, and on ticket machines at stations managed by Northern.
Daisy Jackson -
3rd September 2026 
