Category: Kirkstall Forge Station
Kirkstall Forge Update
October 24th, 2011
Rachel has written to Justine Greening MP, the new Secretary of State for Transport, to emphasise the benefits of the plans for a new railway station in Kirkstall and to invite her to visit the site.
The site of Kirkstall Forge has planning permission to become a mixed use residential and business site which will create 2,400 jobs and include over 1,000 homes.
The station at the heart of the scheme is in the Department for Transport’s ‘Development Pool’, awaiting the green light for spending to be allocated.
Rachel said:
“I have campaigned about Kirkstall Forge station since before I was an MP, and it is crucial that Kirkstall Forge is on the agenda of the new Secretary of State for Transport. The Secretary of State will be making a decision in the next month on whether the Forge gets investment for a new railway station.
I will continue to emphasise how important the development is as an opportunity for creating over 2,000 jobs and building over 1,000 homes as well as improving public transport in West Leeds. That’s why I wrote to invite Justine Greening to meet with me, and tour the site to see its enormous potential.”
Rachel's letter to Ms. Greening said:
I am writing to you in regards to a rail infrastructure project in Leeds West. I have corresponded with your predecessor about it wanted to make sure you were aware of the strength of feeling within the community about the project.
Kirkstall Forge Railway Station is a key part of the Leeds Rail Growth Package. It was placed in your Department’s ‘Development Pool’ of projects in October last year, recognising the value of the project but asking for further cost savings to be made.
The Developers have since increased their contribution to the project, and offered further savings to the public purse to the value of £7m since January. 40% of the funding will come from private sources and from the local transport authority.
The project has wide support within the city, across all political parties, and is strongly supported in the community as well. It has unanimous planning permission which was extended in August this year. The railway station will unlock the potential of a 65 acre brownfield site – with plans to build over 1,000 homes and create 2,400 jobs in a community that needs proactive investment.
In addition, it is important to emphasise that the station will improve public transport facilities in the west of the city. Presently, people overwhelmingly rely on their car to travel to Leeds city centre, and to Bradford. This station offers the promise of rapid journeys into the city centre, a sustainable alternative to car journeys. The station will serve the communities of Kirkstall, Bramley and Horsforth.
If you would like to tour the site or meet with residents, West Yorkshire Metro or the developer CEG I would be happy to facilitate this. I would also like to request a meeting with you to discuss the project. It is a fantastic site with huge potential. It is also deliverable, and will make a real difference to our area. It offers great value for money and a huge improvement to our outdated transport infrastructure. I urge you to support it in your new role as Secretary of State for Transport.Rachel Pushes Ministers on Kirkstall Forge Decision
June 29th, 2011
©Yorkshire Evening Post
As reported in the Yorkshire Post and Yorkshire Evening Post today, Rachel has urged senior government ministers to end the "limbo" and make a decision about including a new rail station at the Kirkstall Forge development.
Rachel said,
“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.
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.”
Your next calling point will be Westminster Hall
June 27th, 2011
The Kirkstall Forge campaign will take another step forward on Wednesday after Rachel secured a debate on the future of the station.
Rachel will use the debate (at 11am on Wednesday) to ask the Government what plans it has for the station.
Rachel said: "I am in favour of the station and this is the next step in the campaign. It offers a substantial economic opportunity for our area, making use of a large brownfield site currently lying empty. Crucially, it will also offer a quick, sustainable journey into Leeds city centre. I will be highlighting the importance of this for our area. I will also be making clear the significant efforts that have gone into making this affordable, with a large contribution from the scheme’s developers towards the costs of the station.
The station is the key to the success of the development. The economic benefits are clear, and the potential of the site huge. I hope to get some answers from the Government about the future of the station – and what we can hope for in Kirkstall."
Forge Decision on hold
October 26th, 2010
Link: http://www.parliamentlive.tv/Embed/GeneralEmbed.aspx?meeting=6700
Rachel expressed disappointment in the House of Commons today at the decision of the Department for Transport's decision on the Kirkstall Forge development.
Despite recognising that the scheme offered value for money, Philip Hammond, Secretary of State for Transport, announced that Kirkstall Forge would be sent back to the the local authority for them to 'sharpen their pencils' and find more savings.
The station, backed with large amounts of private sector money, has been given the green light by West Yorkshire Metro and Leeds City Council. It is backed by Leeds MPs and Councillors across parties.
Rachel said: “Kirkstall Forge railway station offers genuine value for money, and a quality public transport option for residents in West Leeds and across West Yorkshire. With £4m pledged by developers, and enthusiastic cross-party support the station should have been a sure thing.
“When I questioned the Transport Minister on the reasons for his decision he mentioned the funding for the southern entrance to Leeds railway station – a decision which has no impact on passengers in Leeds West. Without a station at Kirkstall Forge many must still rely on an outdated, inefficient bus network and gridlocked roads if they are to travel around the city.
“With a huge contribution from developers the scheme offers value for money and a green alternative, as well as 2,400 new jobs and 1,100 new homes for the west of the city.”
Kirkstall Forge
June 2nd, 2010The Guardian Leeds discusses how spending cuts may affect Leeds. Rachel is fighting hard to protect the Kirkstall Forge scheme which she has supported for a long time, alongside developments such as the Leeds Arena and the south entrance to the city station.
XML Feeds