Ambitious early blueprints to revamp the entrance to Leeds train station have been revealed, just months after it underwent a major facelift.
A transparent roof and gold panels were installed in 2019, but new artist's impressions have now been unveiled to show yet more more big changes in the pipeline.
The planned improvements to the site include a complete revamp of Bishopsgate, which would include "sweeping steps" up to New Station Street.
The existing stone wall, cycle hub and the dark staircase leading up from Bishopgate would all be demolished to make way for a plaza. Lifts may also be installed to take passengers up to New Station Street.
Plans also include "enhanced pedestrian and cycle friendly routes" through Neville Street, Dark Neville Street and Victoria Road, as well as a new 700-capacity cycle storage facility.
In a report by planning officers, Leeds City Council claims the station is the busiest in the north of England, and that passenger numbers are expected to increase by 80 per cent over the next two decades.
Council officers discussed the plans at a meeting this week and saw pre-application proposals for the first time.
It adds New Station Street would be pedestrianised along its full length from its junction with Boar Lane to the point where it meets City Square.
This would mean the existing taxi rank at the front of the train station would be moved to the bottom of the new steps and lifts on Bishopgate Street. There are also plans to include extra taxi stacking ranks on Swinegate, Concordia Street and Meadow Lane.
At a meeting of Leeds City Council’s city plans panel, some councillors said they were concerned at the removal of the taxi rank on New Station Street, claiming they were worried at possible effects on traffic elsewhere.
Cllr Paul Wadsworth (Con) warned: "It will be chaos. When you remove the vehicles from under the dark arches to under the Queens Hotel. It just won’t happen."
Cllr Dan Cohen (Con) added that the "wider impact" of the effect on the area should be taken into consideration.
No decision was made on the plans, as they are currently only at pre-application stage. A full planning application is yet to be submitted.
