Elland Rail Station and access package

Plans

The new rail station will be delivered in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

The station is designed to serve Elland and to improve the town's transport connectivity with the wider region, providing an additional station to both the existing Wigan to Leeds and Bradford to Huddersfield routes.

These proposals include an access package of complementary changes for walking, cycling and public realm.

The Proposals include (subject to funding):

• Elevated platforms on the embankment with lift, ramp and stepped access from the car park level

• Access to the proposed station from across Elland, West Vale and the wider area through improvements to the cycle network
• Two new pedestrian and cycle bridges crossing the River Calder and Calder Hebble Navigation
• Improvements to existing pedestrian and cycle routes, and public realm enhancements

Benefits

Economic growth

The new station will improve access to jobs, education and opportunities. Elland will be more attractive to new businesses and the new links will support existing local businesses. The improved transport network will support future housing growth for Elland and western parts of Brighouse.

Improved landscape

We will make improvements to the public realm and environment on routes to and from the station.

Accessibility

The new station and access package will have a positive effect on journeys between the station, Elland town centre and surrounding areas.

Journey times

Shorter journey times and better connectivity between Elland, and destinations in the wider City Region and beyond.

Sustainability

The new, accessible station will support more people to make sustainable travel decisions. The proposals include improved pedestrian and cycle access with new facilities. Parking at Elland Rail Station would allow for commuter and leisure trips on the train, relieving congestion on the A629.

Progress

17 September 2024

The invitation to tender for the final stage of design of the Elland access package project has been published. This is the last stage of design before construction can start. The deadline for contractors to submit tenders is 11 November 2024.

9 September 2024

Progress to deliver a new rail station in Elland has taken a major step forward after the West Yorkshire Combined Authority appointed a contractor for the final stage of development work.

January 2024

Update on the progress of the Elland Rail Station project from a spokesperson for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority:

“We remain committed to the Elland Railway Station project and work is progressing on the ground to deliver these improvements.

“As we confirmed last November, the completion date for this scheme has been pushed back until late 2026 because of a variety of factors, including design changes and supply chain challenges.

“This project will improve accessibility and make it easier for people to travel around the region by boosting connectivity across Calderdale and beyond.”

West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee recently approved a change request to release additional funding to support further design and delivery elements and extend the completion date to 2026.

April 2023

The project team from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority submitted a planning application for Elland Rail Station. The project received planning approval from Calderdale Council in March 2023.

A spokesperson for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority said:

“Once built, the new Elland Railway Station is going to transform Elland town centre – bringing huge benefits to local residents, businesses and the wider community – so it is fantastic that planning has been approved.

“We want to create a fairer, stronger and better-connected North and projects like this are key to achieving those ambitions.”

The next stage will be the procurement of a contractor as the station moves towards construction starting in 2024, and targeting an opening date in late 2025.

February 2023

We are continuing to develop plans and preparing to submit our final business case (FBC). We are planning to submit the FBC for approval in winter 2023/2024. This is later than originally planned. It took longer to get planning approval from statutory consultees than we anticipated.

Once the FBC is approved we will begin delivery of the project. We’re planning to open the Station and complete the access package elements by late 2025.

Milestones

So far:

• We have resolved all objections to the Rail Station planning application,
• The outline designs for the Rail Station have been approved through Network Rail’s Governance for Railways Investment Projects (GRIP) process,
• We’ve started to compile tender documents, ready for contractor procurement, and
• We’re continuing to develop the constructability of the projects.

Next steps

We’ll be working towards:

• Successful determination of the planning application,
• Opening procurement for a main contractor to design and deliver the Rail Station,
• Opening procurement for contractors to design and deliver the Access Package,
• Completing the final designs with our contractor ready for FBC submission, and
• Completion of the FBC to include design and pricing, ready for submission by West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Calderdale Council in Winter 2023/2024.

October 2021

We have refined the designs in line with rail industry requirements and in response to stakeholder and public feedback. We are working in partnership with organisations such as Network Rail and train operators to progress a Full Business Case (FBC) through the next stage of approvals by Autumn 2022.

Milestones

We have:

• Submitted planning application for the Rail Station
• Received planning approval for the access package
• Submission of the chosen option to Network Rail as part of the Governance for Railway Investment Projects (GRIP) for approval
• Completed engagement with local user groups to inform the design of the station, specifically with passenger safety and accessibility in mind
• Achieved acceptance from the rail industry, including Network Rail, that Elland rail station can be accommodated within the rail network

Key changes

We have made the following changes to the proposals since the summer 2020 consultation:

• Ramped access is now provided to each platform, in addition to the lift and stair access already proposed, in response to new national safety standards.
• Redesigned design with canopy areas added to both platforms, replacing the single waiting shelters shown in earlier designs, providing better protection to passengers
• Improved connectivity between north and south platforms – access between platforms is now better integrated into the station design at car park level, having previously been via Lowfields Way.
• A revised car park design, due in part due to the inclusion of ramps. The car park includes 12 blue badge spaces and provision for 15 EV-charge spaces.

May 2021

We have developed the Outline Business Case (OBC) for the project, which was submitted to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in October 2018 and approved in March 2019. 

The OBC was shaped by the feedback received throughout the summer 2018 stakeholder and public engagement. This feedback was collated by the Combined Authority and is available in the Engagement Report available to download on this page. 

Work to develop Elland rail station continues with significant progress made over the past 12 months to build upon the designs presented to the public in summer 2020. Since the engagement, designs have been developed in line with rail industry requirements and in response to stakeholder and public feedback. Key project milestones have been achieved, including the submission of a planning application to Calderdale Council, as well as submission of all the necessary documents to progress the scheme through this phase of Network Rail’s approvals process.  We are working in partnership with these organisations and train operators to progress the Full Business Case through the next stage of approvals.