A £3.95m park and ride at Mytholmroyd rail station has opened with over 180 new car park spaces and improved flood defences.
The project was delivered in partnership with rail company Northern and includes nine accessible bays and nine wide access bays. The facility also has an underground water storage tank installed to collect and store excess rainwater, enabling it to double as a flood defence.
Tony Baxter, regional director at Northern, said: “The new car park will deliver significant improvements for our customers using Mytholmroyd station, and we’re proud to have also been able to play a part in preventing future flooding in the area.
“This project is a real testament to partnership work, and we are delighted that the community is now better protected. We know this will bring much-needed reassurance to local residents and businesses who are sadly familiar with the devastating impact of flooding.”
Mytholmroyd is one of 14 projects within phase 1 of West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s £31.5m rail park and ride programme, which is designed to increase station access across the region by nearly 2,200 spaces.
The authority said the project aims to improve rail service options, reducing congestion and bettering local air quality. Furthermore, the investment should enhance people’s access to jobs, training and apprenticeships opportunities as well as leisure activities.
Tim Swift, deputy chair of West Yorkshire Combined Authority, said: “Park and ride schemes are a key part of our transport strategy for West Yorkshire, because they are critical in encouraging people to switch to public transport services, reducing the number of cars on the road.”
Under the same rail park and ride programme, 265 new and free park and ride spaces have already been created at Fitzwilliam, South Elmsall, Mirfield and Garforth. Further schemes across the region are already underway including Hebden Bridge rail station, which is scheduled to start construction later this year.
