Leeds

Here’s what Leeds City Railway Station will look like in 2025

The plans are due to be fully completed by September 2025.

Sophie Smith Sophie Smith - 20th September 2023

The CGI photos showing what the railway station will look like when the work is finished makes it look like we're in for a real transformation.

Since March 2023, the Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme moved to work on Leeds Train Station, now we're six months in, with another two years of construction work ahead.

So what exactly is set to change during this time?

The proposed facelift will see the space outside the train station transition into a pedestrian-friendly space with additional cycle lanes and relocation of the taxi rank.

The plans form part of the the Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme, with a whopping £39.5 million investment dedicated to giving a refurb of the areas surrounding the station.

Initially it was reported that the work is expected to be completed in its entirety in early 2024, however Leeds City Council has now reported that work is due to be complete by September 2025.

outside of train station.
Image: Leeds City Council

According to Leeds City Council, the new work on Leeds train station will include the following changes:

  • Pedestrianising New Station Street, including the section which meets Boar Lane, with outdoor seating and rest areas, and landscaping 
  • Relocating the existing taxi rank to Bishopgate Street where there will be a large and well-lit shelter and room for six vehicles, also allowing for kerb-side boarding which will help people with wheelchairs or assistance dogs to board more easily                                                                 
  • Two 21-passenger lifts from Bishopgate Street to the station entrance on New Station Street, providing step-free access between the two streets.                                                                                                                                            
  • A high quality cycle hub at the station, which will include electric charging points and storage for all types of cycles.                                                                                                    
  • Environmental improvements to Neville Street and Dark Neville Street including enhanced lighting, road surface and pavement and elevation treatments.
  • Installing high quality cycle infrastructure on Bishopgate Street and Neville Street, and improvements to cycling infrastructure in surrounding communities.

The plans are due to be fully completed by September 2025.

From May 2023,  the northern section of New Station Street from the station’s main entrance towards City Square will be closed to vehicles but pedrestrians will still be able to walk towards Boar Lane from the main entrance or northern entrance. During this time the taxi rank will begin its move to Princes Square. Currently Network Rail is liaising with  private hire and hackney carriage services with details of the arrangements.

outside of train station.
Image: Leeds City Council

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Leeds City Rail Station is one of the busiest in the country - it’s a gateway to a vibrant city, as well as many destinations across our region and beyond. 

“Growing our economy, connecting more people with opportunities and tackling the climate emergency are at the heart of making West Yorkshire an even better place to live and work, and these improvements are key to that.”

Read More:

You can read more about the plans to develop the area surrounding Leeds train station, and the rest of the Leeds Station Sustainable Travel Gateway scheme here.

Feature Image- Leeds City Council

Leeds

Inside the £1.75m Horsforth farmhouse complete with its very own cottage and five acres of land

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

Go behind the doors of this truly beautiful house on the market in the leafy suburb of Horsforth.

Now this one really is a thing of beauty.

Located on Scotland Lane in Horsforth, The Rookery is an absolutely stunning former Georgian farmhouse dating all the way back to the 19th century.

It occupies a whopping 5,000 sq ft as well as its very own cottage amongst 5.5 acres of land, as well as five double bedrooms and three bathrooms.

Images: Rightmove

And guess what? It's only on the market for a mere guide price of £1.75 million. Pocket change.

In the main house you're welcomed with a grand entrance hall and staircase leading through to a series of reception rooms on the ground floor, how posh. Here you'll also find a wet room and an orangery which attaches to the kitchen, even more posh.

Images: Rightmove

Upstairs there's five double bedrooms, three bathrooms and a study - that should be plenty room for us we think.

But the exterior is where it gets really interesting as here you'll find five acres of beautifully maintained gardens featuring an orchard, kitchen garden and a tennis court.

Image: Rightmove

There's also 'stabling suited to equine use, adding further appeal for those with equestrian interests'... we couldn't have put it better ourselves.

Beyond that The Rookery features it's very own detached two-bedroom cottage as well as a garage with mezzanine accommodation.

Images: Rightmove

The entire property looks like something out of a fairytale, so if you're looking to live your best 19th century Bridgerton-esque life, then dig deep and get hold of that £1.75 million.

But if you do buy it, can we please live in the cottage?

You can find the full listing here.

Read more: The £500k Leeds home that comes with its own clock tower – and a link to royalty

Featured image - Rightmove, Donnely & Co

Leeds

Smash-hit West End musical Trainspotting is coming to Leeds later this year

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant

Trainspotting The Musical is coming to Leeds.

30 years on from the film that changed everything, and following its successful world premiere run in London’s West End, Trainspotting The Musical is heading out on a major UK tour later this year, and will be taking to one of Leeds' most iconic stages this winter.

Written by Irvine Welsh – as adapted from his best-selling debut novel – and directed and developed by Caroline Jay Ranger, Trainspotting The Musical has been described by critics as ‘radical, invigorating and life-affirming’ since its premiere.

It’s said to be an unforgettable production that’ll have even the most sceptical audiences leave on a ‘consciousness-altering high.’

In 1996, the breakthrough British film of the same name was released and became the biggest grossing UK film of the year, winning a slew of awards in the process – including a BAFTA for Best Screenplay, and even being ranked tenth in the BFI’s top 100 greatest British films of the 20th century.

Now, three decades later, the industrial drug crazed working-class heroes of British youth culture are back… but this time, live on stage.

 “I believe the musical has a bigger, loudly beating human heart than either the book or the film,” creator Irvine Welsh commented as the UK tour was announced this week.

“People need to think about the world we’re living in, and we offer that inspection, but they also need to sing their hearts out and laugh their heads off. It’s what being human is all about. We’ve put together an incredible Scottish cast and I can’t wait to see them bring the musical to life.”

Trainspotting The Musical will taking to the stage at the Leeds Grand Theatre from Monday 7 until Saturday 12 December 2026.

Get your tickets when they go live here.

Featured Image – Supplied

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