06.06.18
Proposals put forward to WYCA for HS2 testing facility and station refurb
Proposals have been made to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) Investment Committee to back new schemes that will create an HS2 testing facility, renovated station plans and a new rail park & ride scheme in the area.
The plans put forward to the authority involve 10 new schemes with a combined value of £383.5m pledged to its Local Growth Fund and West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund programme.
Investment Committee members will be asked to support over £4m of work to progress the development, which will require £125m of combined authority funding overall.
Among the arrangements are a £23m, 400kph facility to test high-speed trains and high-speed rail infrastructure.
The scheme would deliver facilities that would enable the new full-scale testing of railway track structures such as embankments, preformed systems, and ground stabilisation technologies. A test track capable of operating rolling stock is also amongst the suggestions for the project.
Phase one of the £5.55m ‘Gateway to Huddersfield’ proposals centre on Huddersfield station and its surrounding areas, dedicated to improving passenger access to the station and creating a new taxi hub off neighbouring St George’s Square. Later stages of the scheme could include the creation of a new western entrance to the station.
A proposed rail park & ride is hoped to support sustainable employment growth in the area. An additional £33.7m in funding would mean up to 2,500 additional spaces created at 12 stations throughout West Yorkshire.
Cllr Peter Box, chair of the WYCA Investment Committee, said: “In 2017-18, we invested £150.5m of capital funding including £90.5m of funding through the Leeds City Region Growth Deal.”
He added that to fully deliver the projects through the Local Growth Fund and West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund, the 10 schemes would require an additional £125.2m of combined authority funding.
“They are ambitious schemes designed to generate inclusive economic growth from which everyone across West Yorkshire and the city region can benefit, and to improve our transport network to support that growth and connect people with jobs and training opportunities,” Cllr Box added.
Enjoying RTM? Subscribe here to receive our weekly news updates or click here to receive a copy of the magazine!
Image credit: Memitina, iStock images