Ministers urged to take rail scheme out of ‘limbo’

Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves will urge Ministers to stop leaving the Kirkstall Forge project “in limbo” and clarify whether they intend to give it the go-ahead.

The scheme to build two new rail stations at Kirkstall Forge and Apperley Bridge – linked to the major regeneration of the site to the west of Leeds – is one of a number of transport projects which are having to fight it out for £600m of Government funding. Of the £18m cost, some £7.5m would be found locally and the project is likely to pull in tens of millions of pounds in private investment.

Miss Reeves, who will call for a decision during a Westminster debate today, said: “The development of the forge site is really important for the future of our area. The promise of jobs and homes is a great opportunity, and better, sustainable travel into Leeds city centre is vital too.

“I will be highlighting the benefits of the plans, their widespread support in the local community and the significant private capital that has gone into the station. The Department for Transport needs to make it clear where we stand, and whether it will back this scheme.

“We’ve been left in limbo for months now – people in Kirkstall will rightly want to know what the future holds for the forge.”

Plans for the station at Kirkstall Forge have already been approved by Leeds planners. It forms part of a regeneration plan to create more than 1,000 homes on the former industrial site alongside the River Aire. The development would also include shops, bars, restaurants and offices.

Campaigners are optimistic that the scheme will get the go-ahead by the end of the year because it will unlock so much private investment.

The project is among dozens which Department for Transport officials are considering, along with schemes such as the Leeds trolleybus.