18.10.18
New transparent roof ‘first of several’ upgrades announced for Leeds station
Network Rail and the East Coast Main Line Railway board have announced a new state-of-the-art roof will be installed at Leeds station as part of the next step of upgrades.
A new transparent roof made of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) will be installed on the southern concourse at one of the UK’s busiest railway stations.
The organisations said the new roof would be ready in time for UCI Road World Championship next autumn, replacing the current “dark and tired” wooden roof with a light-weight design.
They also said that this is the first of several upgrades to be announced at Leeds station in the coming weeks, as part of the long-term plan to deliver a transformational Leeds Integrated Station Masterplan.
Chair of the East Coast Main Line Railway Board and chief executive of Welcome to Yorkshire, Sir Gary Verity DL, said: “Leeds station is a main gateway into Yorkshire so it’s crucial people coming to visit the county are given a great first impression of the city of Leeds - now one of Europe’s most dynamic and vibrant cities.
“It was also important to the Board that passengers who use Leeds Station everyday have a station they can be proud of.”
Construction of the new roof will begin in the coming weeks with scaffolding and a crash deck being set up in the concourse.
Network Rail’s route managing director, Rob McIntosh, added: “Having Sir Gary Verity’s experience of delivering for Yorkshire has helped us change the way we think about projects.
“The new roof will be a step change in the visual appearance at Leeds and is the first move towards giving Leeds a world class railway station befitting a city of its status.”
Sir Peter Hendy, Network Rail’s chairman, said he was delighted that Leeds is going to be one of the first places to benefit from the work done by the East Coast Main Line Railway Board.