Transport Secretary visits West Yorkshire transport projects
Patrick McLoughlin sees transport improvement projects in Apperley Bridge and Garforth.
Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin visited West Yorkshire today (17 November 2014) to see transport improvements that will benefit thousands of local residents in Leeds and Bradford.
He saw the building of a new rail station at Apperley Bridge, planned accessibility improvements at Garforth station, and work to create an upgraded cycle network.
Patrick McLoughlin said:
We are investing billions in infrastructure improvements that will help secure long-term economic growth across the country. Today in West Yorkshire I have seen first-hand transport projects ranging from road schemes to new and improved train stations, from new cycleways to community bus services. These transport projects will help connect communities and businesses, create jobs and make it easier for people to get around.
The £8 million new station at Apperley Bridge is 1 of 2 proposed new stations on the Leeds-Bradford line. When complete next August, it will be served by 2 trains every hour. Work is also due to start early next year on a new station at Kirkstall Forge.
The Transport Secretary also visited the Leeds-Liverpool canal towpath, which will be upgraded as part of the longest continuous cycleway being created in the north of England. It will connect Armley in west Leeds to Shipley in east Bradford and link to key employment and regeneration sites, including a number of large employers at Thornbury Gyratory. In order to build on Yorkshire’s recent success in hosting the Tour de France’s Grand Depart this summer, West Yorkshire wants to triple current cycling levels.
The Transport Secretary then visited Garforth station, near Leeds. Earlier this year, the government confirmed Garforth as one of 42 stations nationwide to benefit from a share of £100 million Access for All funding to provide a step-free route to the platforms. Planning for the work is currently being developed, and it is due to be completed before 2019.
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