The Mayor of West Yorkshire and leader of Leeds City Council have written to the Prime Minister, urging him to ensure land around Leeds Station continues to be safeguarded.
Leeds Station is at capacity, and land to the south could provide space for expansion – boosting economic growth across West Yorkshire and improving reliability across the rail network in the North.
The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said: “Failing to expand the capacity at Leeds Station would hold West Yorkshire and the North’s economy back for decades to come.
“We’re an economic powerhouse desperate to grow further – I’m calling on the Government to sit down and work with us to find a solution.
“Don’t force us to fight with one hand tied behind our back as we seek to create a better-connected North.”
Cllr James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, said: “The value of our city’s station to our economy as well as that of Yorkshire and the North cannot be overstated, and yet we are already approaching capacity.
“We must protect the limited opportunities we have to ensure the station and railway infrastructure in central Leeds can continue to grow in order to meet ever-increasing passenger demand and not become a bottleneck for other significant new schemes such as the welcome new station for Bradford and Northern Powerhouse Rail.
“It is vital that safeguarding restrictions on land around the station are extended until the current study is completed, to help ensure that opportunities to better connect our city with the wider region and the rest of the country are not lost through short-sighted decision making.”
The letter in full:
We are writing to draw your urgent attention to the future of rail connections to and capacity within Leeds City Station – the North of England’s busiest rail station – and the huge strategic risks that any hasty release of HS2 safeguarded land in Leeds would bring to securing the long-term economic potential of our railway for the North as a whole.
Plans to develop the station have been uncertain since the Government’s decision to cancel the eastern leg of HS2 in 2021 and were put further at risk by your statements last autumn to accelerate the release of land safeguarded for HS2 delivery.
Our concerns were further heightened by the Network North document published at that time which, whilst including welcome commitments to the West Yorkshire mass transit and Bradford station schemes, did not include any commitments to Leeds City Station.
Nonetheless, we had been led to believe that the Government shared our ambition to secure the right solution for Leeds and that this would be provided by thorough a robust evidence-led study of rail connectivity between the Midlands, Yorkshire and the North East (“the MYNE study”). This was required by the Transport Select Committee and committed to by the Rail Minister.
However, we now understand that a decision to release HS2 safeguarded land, that could provide new south-facing platforms and onward rail connections, is to be taken imminently, before the MYNE study has even commenced.
Leeds City Station is the busiest and most congested rail station in the North of England. Sitting at the centre of the rail network, which connects Liverpool, Manchester, York, Hull, Sheffield, Newcastle, Birmingham, and Edinburgh. As such, the station provides the same national hub role on the east of the Pennines as Manchester Piccadilly does to the west.
It is also at the most important hub for the West Yorkshire economy. Services into Leeds from Bradford, Kirklees, Wakefield, and Calderdale have shaped our modern economic footprint.
Towns such as Ilkley, Halifax and Hebden Bridge, alongside places such as Harrogate beyond our boundaries, now providing some of the greatest concentration of higher skilled communities due to their rail connections.
Collectively, Leeds City Station and its connections provide perhaps the greatest single example of how transport connectivity to our Northern cities can genuinely unlock economic agglomeration and transformation.
The city of Leeds continues to grow, with an average of 3,000 new homes delivered annually, population growth higher than the national average, and GVA projected to increase by £12.9 billion by 2040. To support this growth, Leeds rail station must expand, with passenger numbers forecast to exceed 43 million users within the next twenty years alone.
Hence, it was a major surprise that commitment to increase the capacity at the station was not part of the Network North plans. The station’s potential to secure further economic benefit is currently constrained. A third of delays on the rail network in the North can be found here, and 50% of passengers travelling through the station have their trains delayed or cancelled.
This situation will worsen if improvements are made elsewhere on the railway without addressing the Leeds hub properly.
However, the land is safeguarded by HS2 Ltd only until this Summer. We understand that a decision is in front of you to not extend this safeguarding, well ahead of the MYNE study work that is required. We are aware of some hasty work within government, with some headlines from which DfT officials only very recently revealed to our officials. That work falls well short of the study commitments that have been made and would bring strategic risks for West Yorkshire and the North for the remainder of this century.
Therefore, we have to implore you in the strongest terms to instruct HS2 Ltd to extend the safeguarding on the corridor between Clayton Junction and Leeds City Station for a period to allow the MYNE study to be completed. We would be grateful if you could confirm this decision at the earliest possible opportunity and would ask that you discuss with us if you are not in agreement with safeguarding the land.
We and our officials remain committed to working with you and your officials, to determine the parcels of land which needs to remain safeguarded, so not to delay disposal of land that is no longer required. We can work co-operatively on this matter to ensure the residents of Leeds, the commuters of West Yorkshire, and passengers across the North have the appropriate transport infrastructure to reach our full potential.
Chemical specialist Airedale Group has strengthened its team by filling three new roles, reflecting the company’s growth and its focus on health and safety as a business priority.
With the addition of a deputy head of regulatory, HR manager and marketing executive, the number of people employed by the business has risen to more than 125.
As the business steps up its commitment to ensuring the highest standards of health and safety on site, Louise Copeman has been appointed as deputy head of regulatory, with more than 20 years of experience in health and safety in the chemical industry.
She says: “I will be focusing on fostering a culture of safety to keep staff and visitors safe and well.”
Jacquie Hodgson has spent over 25 years in human resources, having worked most recently at Craven District Council and joins the company as human resources manager.
She said: “The health and wellbeing of staff will be one of my main priorities as I settle into the role which will form part of a wider people strategy. There will also be plenty of work to do when incorporating new staff from business acquisitions and organic growth.”
The marketing team has expanded with the creation of a new marketing executive role. Harrison Firth joins the company with an apprenticeship in digital marketing which will be used to develop the company’s online presence. Harrison adds: “This is a fantastic start to my career and it’s really rewarding to clearly see the results of our online activity in our bottom line.”
Airedale Group, founded in 1973, is based in Cross Hills and provides chemicals and related services to the UK and Europe.
Dean Clough is to let almost 13,000 sq ft of state-of-the-art workspace on a new five-year lease in which Calderdale College will expand its digital creative skills hub following a £700,000 Government funding boost.
The new skills hub, Mill Studios, will serve students aged 16+ with high-tech facilities for studies in film and TV production, design and editing, esports and games design. The centre will also include collaborative space for events, exhibitions and engagement with employers.
The College already occupies 2,344 sq ft of space at Dean Clough in Halifax for its Creative Arts Foundation and BA Degree courses. Students benefit from engaging with practicing artists through the College’s partnership with Dean Clough Galleries and Arts Charity and have their work displayed in the renowned Crossley Gallery.
David Malone, Principal and Chief Exec at Calderdale College, said: “Our students benefit tremendously from the vibrant and captivating community at Dean Clough, which is one of the most celebrated heritage and cultural sites here in Calderdale.
“The community at Dean Clough has really helped us to enhance our provision for students. Mill Studios , delivering a digital creative hub that will transform learning in this sector, and bring new courses to Calderdale along with cutting-edge facilities in the most engaging environment.”
Mill Studios, which is due to launch ahead of the next academic year as part of Calderdale’s Year of Culture 2024, has been funded by the Local Skills Improvement Fund, which aims to tackle skill shortages by responding to employers’ needs and giving young people the skills to get good jobs and increase their prospects.
Jeremy Hall, Chairman and MD of Dean Clough, added: “We are thrilled that Calderdale College has chosen to expand its educational facilities here at Dean Clough and excited to be involved with Calderdale’s progress as a cultural centre for creative production. Indeed, our region is fast becoming recognised as the ‘Hollywood of the North’ and Dean Clough has been host to many high-profile TV and film productions already.
“We truly believe that a vibrant and diverse amenity and cultural experience is so vitally important in creating the environment that people want to visit and work within. This, alongside the indisputable carbon benefits that the reuse of historic buildings brings for sustainable practice, is fundamental to attracting business occupiers.”
Leeds’ JM Glendinning Insurance Brokers has acquired Birmingham-based Madoc & Rhodes (Lea Village) Ltd, strengthening the JMG Group portfolio.
Incorporated in 1967, Madoc & Rhodes is a team of seven insurance brokers headed by MD Paul McGrory, who has worked in the insurance industry for over 37 years. The business will continue to deliver vehicle, home and property insurance services from its Lea Village office, whilst working closely with JM Glendinning’s Birmingham-based business.
Paul McGrory joined Madoc & Rhodes in 1985, became co-owner in 1997 and sole owner in 2008. Paul says: “We’ve experienced significant growth over the last 12 months and by joining the JMG Group, we are now stronger than ever.
“We are a friendly and proudly traditional team that thrives on delivering outstanding customer service. Every client is important to us and we have a fantastic retention rate. In fact, we have fifty clients who have been with us for over 50 years – I think that makes us unique!
“I was considering a change in career when this opportunity came about but I am delighted that the right business came along at the right time. This move will allow me to get back to the shop floor, working directly with clients and investing time in the team and developing our offering.”
Jake Fox, group managing director at JM Glendinning, says: “This is a great opportunity for JM Glendinning and will unlock many opportunities as we build upon the existing well-known brand and quality service that’s already associated with Madoc & Rhodes.
“As a long-standing firm in Birmingham, we believe Madoc & Rhodes will complement our established team in Birmingham, led by Chris Hitch, and add breadth to our existing base in the city and beyond. Paul’s strong, principled leadership will no doubt help continue driving growth in the business.”
Madoc & Rhodes was advised by Worcester-based The Company Solicitor and MDP Accountants.
Network Rail, in partnership with City of York Council and the Department for Transport, has submitted a planning application to build a new, two platform railway station in Haxby.
The multimillion pound station, located on Towthorpe Road, will be part of the York to Scarborough line and be the town’s first rail connection in almost 100 years after the previous station was closed in 1930.
The £24m project is being delivered by Network Rail through funding from the Department for Transport and City of York Council. Subject to planning consent being granted, final detailed designs will be completed throughout the remainder of 2024, with construction expected to start on site in spring 2025.
New images show what the station could look like in the future, with a fully accessible footbridge with lifts and steps connecting the two platforms, bike shelters, a 154-space car park (including EV charging), taxi rank and a bus stop. Shared-use paths will connect the station to residential areas of Haxby for those travelling to the station on foot or by bicycle.
Proposed appearance of Haxby Station. Credit: Network Rail
So far, around £3.5m has been provided from the Restoring Your Railways fund, which aims to support the reinstatement of old lines and stations.
Network Rail has already carried out ground surveys at the proposed station site. The new station is expected to enter service in 2026.
Iain Kelly, Network Rail’s Project Sponsor for Haxby station, said: “The submission of this planning application is a major milestone in the development of Haxby station. A lot of behind-the-scenes work by Network Rail and City of York Council has taken place to get the project to this stage and we are ready to press ahead with delivering a station local residents can be proud of.
“Haxby’s new station will provide residents with greater connectivity and offer more sustainable transport methods which tie in with Network Rail’s ambition to be simpler, better and greener.”
Councillor Pete Kilbane, Deputy Leader of City of York Council and Executive Member for Economy and Transport, said: “This is a significant step towards bringing a railway station back to Haxby.
“We have been working closely with Network Rail to progress this project and look forward to making this become a reality. If approved, a new station at Haxby would greatly improve public transport in the north of the city, reducing the need for people to travel by car. This is in line with our Council Plan priority of ‘sustainable, accessible transport for all’.
“This application will now go through the independent planning process and I would urge anyone to have a look at the plans and share your comments.”
Proposed appearance of Haxby Station. Credit: Network Rail
The government has approved Kirklees Council’s proposals for the new West Yorkshire Life Sciences Investment Zone.
The news continues to build on billions of pounds of planning investment across Huddersfield, including major transformative projects such as the council’s Huddersfield Blueprint, the Transpennine Route Upgrade and further government regeneration funding.
In November last year, the government announced a new ‘Investment Zone’ for Kirklees and wider West Yorkshire, which will focus on supporting innovation in the health, wellbeing and digital industries.
This means that alongside other local authorities across West Yorkshire, Kirklees Council is set to receive government investment to boost innovation, productivity and growth, and support the commercialisation of important research in these areas.
This investment is because the government has recognised Kirklees and wider West Yorkshire as being a region of ‘high potential’. Since the funding was announced in November, Kirklees Council has been working closely with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to provide the government with a detailed business plan for the funding.
The council’s plans for the Investment Zone will build on Kirklees’ existing local strengths in innovation and research, and will aim to help develop a strong cluster of interconnected businesses, suppliers and local research institutions, extending beyond Kirklees to other Investment Zone sites across Kirklees, Bradford and the rest of West Yorkshire.
The proposals Kirklees Council put forward centre on its Station to Stadium Enterprise Corridor – a scheme of work that’s all about boosting economic development in Huddersfield, creating new opportunities for businesses to grow and develop, and more high quality jobs for local people. This corridor stretches from Huddersfield Railway Station to the John Smith’s Stadium, anchored by the new National Health Innovation Campus (NHIC).
The NHIC is a transformative project led by the University of Huddersfield, which is set to improve health outcomes and lead innovation in healthcare for the north of England, the UK and internationally.
The new campus will deliver a mix of world-class research, teaching and public health facilities, including clinical diagnostics, skin integrity and infection prevention.
The Investment Zone programme will speed up work on the NHIC, and bring forward other sites for potential investment within that area to attract more businesses looking to colocate and benefit from links to the campus. Kirklees Council will also be investing in key infrastructure to unlock barriers to development, and improving links for pedestrians and cyclists across the area.
Revenue funding will also provide more business and innovation support for organisations in the health and digital sectors.
This support will build on some local programmes which have already received government funding, including the university’s Health Innovation Partnership and ‘Thrive’ – a new programme to support brand new businesses and entrepreneurs in the health and wellbeing industry, which is kicking off in April.
Thrive will be based at the Glass Box, the flagship business centre for Business Kirklees (the council’s business support service), which sits right next to the NHIC. Both of these projects are already funded by the government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Councillor Cathy Scott, Leader of Kirklees Council, says: “This is an incredibly exciting time to be part of the health and wellbeing sector in Kirklees.
“The West Yorkshire Life Sciences Investment Zone will allow us to build on all the fantastic research and innovation already taking place, and really put us on the map for health tech. It’s a sector where we’re already making waves, and now that these proposals have been approved we’ll be doing so much to support new innovation, to help businesses grow and thrive, and to get brand new ideas off the ground which could transform our healthcare systems in years to come.
“This is fantastic news for Huddersfield, for Kirklees, and for West Yorkshire as a whole.”
Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin said: “We are creating the future of Healthtech and Digital Tech here in West Yorkshire.
“Our universities are conducting groundbreaking research, our businesses are creating cutting-edge innovations, and our people are developing the critical skills they need to make the breakthroughs of tomorrow.
“This investment will catapult our strengths to the next level as we work to build a stronger, brighter West Yorkshire that works for all.”
Now that Kirklees Council’s proposals for the Investment Zone have been approved, it will continue to work closely with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to agree how each of these individual areas will move forward.
Following a divestment process, RWE’s Ferrybridge Engineering Workshop business has transferred to new ownership under TGM Industrial, an integrated group of precision engineering and industrial manufacturing companies in the UK.
The Ferrybridge site is one of the most prestigious and historically important for the UK’s power industry, with the workshops housed within the turbine hall of a grade 2 listed former power generation site.
Established over 40 years ago, the workshop served an external client base until 2017 before becoming a predominantly dedicated service centre for RWE’s UK power infrastructure.
To date, the Ferrybridge Engineering Workshop has provided expert large-scale facilities that enable critical repair and maintenance of power generation equipment, as well as providing engineering services to conventional and renewable power generation markets in the UK.
The Ferrybridge site consists of a 15,000m2 fully equipped workshop with an extensive range of machine tools capable of handling components up to 120 tonnes, as well as welding, blasting, and specialist measuring capability.
Since 2019, the new owner, TGM Industrial has acquired seven other companies that have synergies with the Ferrybridge workshop capabilities, these will ensure that the Ferrybridge Engineering Workshop will continue to provide services to the UK power industry and potentially to other industrial sectors.
A workforce of 22 employees who support the business at Ferrybridge will transfer to TGM Industrial.
Over the past three years, RWE has been reviewing the way its gas-fired power station business is structured and has made significant changes to streamline the organisation.
Following a review of how maintenance and outages are managed across its fleet of gas-fired power plants, RWE announced a change from an inhouse service, using the capabilities of the Ferrybridge workshops, to an outsourcing strategy for major outages, purchasing required services from external suppliers.
The sale enables RWE to continue making use of the Ferrybridge workshop competencies in the future but as a customer rather than an owner. RWE has agreed to a Provision of Services Agreement as part of the sale, which provides TGM with a 36-month agreement to provide parts and services for RWE’s UK gas power station outages, with an option to extend in the future.
Will Jeffery, director of RWE Generation UK, said: “We are pleased to have completed this transaction with TGM Industrial, especially given the site’s historical engineering legacy. We believe its capabilities have better future opportunities and strategic fit with an owner that considers the workshop as its core business.
“This sale provides the ability for the workshop business at Ferrybridge to grow beyond the limitations of a predominantly internal RWE service provider. We look forward to a successful working relationship with new owners TGM in the coming years.”
Tim Brooksbank, director of TGM Industrial, said: “We are excited about the acquisition from RWE of the Ferrybridge Workshop business, which reflects the strategy we have been pursuing over the past six years to acquire synergistic businesses with niche manufacturing and precision engineering expertise, and will bring our aggregate annual revenues to over £25m.
“We look forward to capitalising on the impressive skills and capabilities at Ferrybridge to expand its provision of services within the power generation sector and introduce corresponding services into other sectors, while continuing to service the needs of RWE in the UK.
“We also expect this acquisition to enhance significantly the scope of our capacities and available offering to existing customers within the TGM Industrial group.”
Next week councillors will meet to discuss a major investment in Harrogate Convention Centre to make sure it can continue to support the town’s multi-million pound visitor economy.
They’ll be talking about sidelining proposals for development plans, and instead look at more affordable options to bring long-awaited improvements.
Executive director for finance, Cllr Gareth Dadd, who is the authority’s deputy leader, said: “The convention centre is a very important venue for both Harrogate itself and the county’s wider economy, and we are therefore committed to ensuring that it continues to play a key role in the future.
“However, all major projects are being affected by the high rates of inflation and the rising costs of materials and labour.
“We need to make sure that we are providing the best value for money for residents and businesses across North Yorkshire, and we will carefully consider the options that are available for renovating the Harrogate Convention Centre.
“We need to decide how best to take the re-development plans forward while protecting the impact that would have on the public purse and the economy of the town.”
Members of the executive will be told that a two-phase development plan for the building was drawn up eight years ago, with the first stage due to revamp the existing building.
The second phase of the re-development outlined in the plan would see the existing exhibition halls replaced with a new event space, and the overarching project was expected to cost £47 million at the time when the proposals were drawn up.
However, when a business case revealed that the first phase alone was estimated to cost £48 million, the second stage of the development was deferred.
A bid for £20 million in funding from the Government’s Levelling Up Fund proved unsuccessful, and rising costs have meant that the first phase of the re-development is now expected to be in the region of £57.2 million. In addition, there would be lost revenue when the building closed for the wide-ranging programme of work.
Convention Centre Director Paula Lorimer said: “We recognise that there is a real need for investment in the building, but more affordable options should also be explored. Alternative plans that are being considered would prevent shutting large parts of the venue for significant periods of time to avoid the loss of valuable revenue.
“This building is integral to the visitor economy of Harrogate. Its conferences, exhibitions, corporate events, banquets and live entertainment provide jobs and business to the town’s shops, bars, cafes, restaurants and hotels – worth about £45 million a year to the local economy.
“I do back the recommendation that is due to be discussed by the executive, as I have been a long-standing supporter of investment in the convention centre for a number of years and the venue must remain open during the works.”
Paula added that this year’s income from lettings is at the highest level since 2014, and the number of forward bookings is also the highest in recent memory.
She said: “This demonstrates that the venue is doing well, and tactical investment is the way forward to keeping the venue operational.”
However, the building has problems with ageing heating and air conditioning systems and there are also increasing maintenance and utility costs, as well as a layout that presents challenges for many events and conferences.
Sheffield architectural practice Hadfield Cawkwell Davidson is to join Sheffield FC as an official 1857 Partner.
Hadfield Cawkwell Davidson is the architecture practice charged with realising the football club’s vision for its new Home of Football Stadium.
Matthew Quinn, one of the leading architects on the project said: “Hadfield Cawkwell Davidson are thrilled to become a partner with Sheffield FC – The World’s First Football Club, and build upon our shared passion for the sport to deliver the new Home of Football stadium.
“The new stadium will not only reconnect the club to its Sheffield roots but also strengthen its presence within the vibrant sporting community of Sheffield. We eagerly anticipate a positive and collaborative partnership for the future.”
Club Chairman Richard Tims said: “HCD have been brilliant to work with and we couldn’t think of a better architectural company to help relocate The World’s First Football Club back in to city boundaries.”
“With over 300 years of existence between us, there’s an obvious synergy, and as a club, we like to partner with proud Sheffield organisations.”
Leeds-based engineering consultancy the JPG Group has agreed a multi-year deal to join the Leeds United Community Partnership.
Established in Leeds more than 36 years ago with its HQ just a short distance from Elland Road, JPG agreed the deal as part of its commitment to local community engagement and ongoing support to the championship club’s journey.
Operated by sports rights specialist Eleven Sports Media, the Community Partner Programme delivers unique brand engagement, activation, and growth opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses across the region, in association with Leeds United FC.
Chris Harding, MD at JPG Group said: “We are delighted to sign up to the Leeds United Community Partnership, not least because of our long-standing local presence, but also due to our own fan base within the company. Whilst supporting Leeds United as a club we are also gaining fantastic exposure through digital branding around the stadium and online.
“It is a real pleasure for us to be able to connect at this level with Leeds United, aligning our brand with all of the sporting, community engagement, and ethical values that the Club stands for.”
Social responsibility and community engagement are important to JPG which is committed to and actively involved with other local initiatives including The Yorkshire Childrens Charity, Leeds Community Foundation and St George’s Crypt.
Established in 1988, JPG currently employs 45 people within its Leeds headquarters and provides civil and structural engineering consultancy services for clients throughout the UK. It covers all major development sectors with expertise in every aspect of civil and structural engineering from initial site investigation, detailed civil and structural engineering design and construction support. JPG also offers dedicated consultancy services in Strategic Land Engineering, Geospatial Analysis and BIM Services.
JPG has created a long-lasting legacy having delivered essential engineering expertise for strategically important, game changing sites across the UK. Key Yorkshire projects include Wakefield 515, the Advanced Manufacturing Park in Rotherham, Skelton Gate in Leeds, and Gateway 36 in Barnsley.
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