This is when Leeds station's new Platform 0 will see its first trains

The £161m Platform 0 at the region's busiest railway station was completed over the festive period, with hundreds of Network Rail finishing the work between the last service on Christmas Eve and early morning on December 27.

Officials say it will mean major improvements to passenger journeys by providing more trains, more seats and fewer delays due to an improved track layout, allowing trains to enter and exit the station more easily.

But the new platform will not be used for timetabled services until 2022 and will initially be available for trains to use during times of disruption, helping to minimise delays for passengers.

Network Rail has now released new images of the development, which is the first new platform constructed at the station in nearly 20 years.

More than 31 million people used Leeds station every year, though numbers have fallen dramatically during the pandemic.

But before this the capacity at the station was a major issue for passengers, with a lack of space for trains to enter and exit leading to regular delays and disruption.

The platform work has been accompanied by the modernisation of the station entrance which now has a new transparent roof and glazed façade entrance-way, a redesigned and expanded ticket barrier to improve passenger flow and refurbished free-to-use toilets.

Matt Rice, Route Director for Network Rail’s North and East Route, said: “Over the last two years, we have invested heavily into Leeds railway station to create a transport hub which the city can be proud of and which offers a warm welcome to visitors.

“The completion of the platform is a huge part of this work and will make journeys more punctual and reliable for all those travelling to, from or through Leeds. The platform will help to make things easier during times of disruption, meaning fewer delays for passengers and getting them on the move again more quickly.”

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said: "The completion of Platform 0 is an important milestone in improving Leeds railway station as a key transport hub. It will enhance the region’s infrastructure and is a boost for the north.

“I want to say a huge thank you to the hundreds of Network Rail engineers who worked tirelessly over the festive period to complete this platform, which will improve punctuality and reliability for passengers for years to come.”

Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “Investment to improve capacity and punctuality at Leeds station is important not just to the city and West Yorkshire but also impacts on the reliability of services across the North of England and the national rail network.

"I look forward to passengers seeing the positive impact of Platform 0 on their journeys in the coming year.”

To allow for the construction of Platform 0, the long-stay car park has been closed since late 2018. Network Rail plans to reopen the car park in Spring 2021.