Leeds The long awaited decision to widen the west end of the station to six tracks has now been taken, and the work is to be carried out over the Christmas and New Year period 1999-2000. Three new platforms are to be provided at the station.
Doncaster A major redevelopment is to take place combining the north and south bus stations with the railway station which will provide a major transport interchange on the East Coast main line.
Huddersfield-Penistone-Sheffield Poor reliability has been a problem on this route, and the extension of services to Lincoln has done little to improve punctuality on this line. The use of single-car class 153 units has resulted in poor timekeeping because of the gradients on the line.
Wharfedale New electric trains with three- car units are to be delivered in December 1999, for crew training, and will be phased in during the early part of the year 2000. These will replace the existing 40-year-old class 308 units which are prone to breakdowns. A new telephone facility is to be provided at Guiseley. A new bus service linking rail services with Otley and Harrogate is to be provided at Menston.
Selby and district Overcrowding has been a problem on services in both directions between Leeds and Selby. A tripartite committee has been established to examine ways of improving services between Leeds and Goole, York and Sheffield via Pontefract Baghill, and Selby and Doncaster. Three rail user groups are involved in the committee which has the support of the local MP.
Huddersfield Improvements to the station at Wakefield Kirkgate have had to be abandoned as the station is a listed building and the proposals for improvements have not been approved by the Department of the Environment. Dewsbury station improvements have been put on hold as there is concern about the fabric of the building being affected by proposals for improvements.
Garforth An extension has been given to the opening hours of the booking office and refurbishment work at the station has been completed.
Brighouse The decision has finally been taken that the scheme to re-open the station will be implemented next year. The cost of the scheme has been found to be in excess of the Capital Challenge Bid, and the station at Elland has been put on hold until finance can be found.
You can email Railwatch editor Ray King at editor@railwatch.org.uk (or just click on this link), e-mail Deltic Design with comments about the Railwatch Web pages, or visit their web site.
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