Leeds Station southern entrance plans approved

BarFly · Post by **BarFly** » Thu 03 Jul, 2014 1:13 pm

Dare I say I quite like the look of the proposed entrance. Though I did find it a little disappointing that they felt the need to cut away some of the stone at the bottom of the arches -- I think it would have been better to leave the existing structure unaltered and just add the new "growth" on.

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Fri 04 Jul, 2014 9:37 am

BarFly wrote: Dare I say I quite like the look of the proposed entrance. Though I did find it a little disappointing that they felt the need to cut away some of the stone at the bottom of the arches -- I think it would have been better to leave the existing structure unaltered and just add the new "growth" on. I agree with you there BarFly - I also like the futuristic and ambitious design of the entry in its own right. If it was to be part of a whole new station in a similar style I'd be all for it, but to "throw it" at such a traditional part of the older City makes it completely incongruous and I honestly think it looks just ridiculous, as if something has just landed from outer space.

jim · Post by **jim** » Fri 04 Jul, 2014 10:26 am

Unfortunately the new entry will not be fully viewed by the majority of those using it. I have concerns that the access routes to this structure may not be prepossessing, and that there will be a lack of parking space near enough to attract footfall.

raveydavey · Post by **raveydavey** » Fri 04 Jul, 2014 10:59 am

BLAKEY wrote: BarFly wrote: Dare I say I quite like the look of the proposed entrance. Though I did find it a little disappointing that they felt the need to cut away some of the stone at the bottom of the arches -- I think it would have been better to leave the existing structure unaltered and just add the new "growth" on. I agree with you there BarFly - I also like the futuristic and ambitious design of the entry in its own right. If it was to be part of a whole new station in a similar style I'd be all for it, but to "throw it" at such a traditional part of the older City makes it completely incongruous and I honestly think it looks just ridiculous, as if something has just landed from outer space. I think it's got a look of the Thames barrier about it. Not sure if that's a good or a bad thing...

Post by **cnosni** » Fri 04 Jul, 2014 12:19 pm

jim wrote: Unfortunately the new entry will not be fully viewed by the majority of those using it. I have concerns that the access routes to this structure may not be prepossessing, and that there will be a lack of parking space near enough to attract footfall. The new entrance isnt about parking for footfall Jim, its about opening up the station to the south of town and the offices in Holbeck Urban Village.It will be easier and quicker for those people working/living in the area to access the station, and if anything may tempt those people who park in Holbeck currently to get to their work to use the train.Might be a generational thing as well but i like the look of it as well.BTW why do you think the access route may not be prepossessing, something you have noticed perhaps?

Post by **cnosni** » Fri 04 Jul, 2014 12:23 pm

BLAKEY wrote: BarFly wrote: Dare I say I quite like the look of the proposed entrance. Though I did find it a little disappointing that they felt the need to cut away some of the stone at the bottom of the arches -- I think it would have been better to leave the existing structure unaltered and just add the new "growth" on. I agree with you there BarFly - I also like the futuristic and ambitious design of the entry in its own right. If it was to be part of a whole new station in a similar style I'd be all for it, but to "throw it" at such a traditional part of the older City makes it completely incongruous and I honestly think it looks just ridiculous, as if something has just landed from outer space. Apart from the viaduct and the old wharfs the buildings around it are all new, even the station building is modern looking.Another thing is that it will bring footfall to the dark arches where there are restaurants and bars, pretty good ones as well, so it will be good for their trade.Perhaps it will stimulate more businesses as well.

Cardiarms · Post by **Cardiarms** » Fri 04 Jul, 2014 12:27 pm

IIRC the drawings for HS2 showed a pedestrian walkway connecting the two stations going through this entrance, so if that goes ahead it'll be temporary and replaced in about, ooh, say, 20 years.

jim · Post by **jim** » Fri 04 Jul, 2014 12:30 pm

Hi cnosni. As a purely personal opinion I don't view a walkway alongside or beneath the City Station arches as prepossessing. I also can't see the available already well filled parking spaces or the total available office space within practical walking distance (say quarter of a mile) of the new entrance worth the effort and money involved in the new provision. We shall probably have to agree to disagree. Edit:- Written while two posts above appeared!

WiggyDiggy · Post by **WiggyDiggy** » Fri 04 Jul, 2014 1:43 pm

Cardiarms wrote: IIRC the drawings for HS2 showed a pedestrian walkway connecting the two stations going through this entrance, so if that goes ahead it'll be temporary and replaced in about, ooh, say, 20 years. Thats your alternative then? Dont build it and wait 20 years before doing anything?

Post by **tyke bhoy** » Fri 04 Jul, 2014 2:00 pm

jim wrote: I have concerns that the access routes to this structure may not be prepossessing, and that there will be a lack of parking space near enough to attract footfall. I think the majority of the footfall is expected to be those walking at Walmart/Asda and in an around the rest of "Holbeck Village" who's journey on foot from the station may well be reduced 10-15 minutes. There is a constant stream southbound on Neville Street from before 7.30 to beyond 9.00 and northbound from 4.00pm - 6.00pm. Admittedly some of this foot traffic will have arrived in the vicinity of City Square on a bus or dropped off by car but the vast majority will be from the station.It will also be handy for the Hilton and Doubletree by Hilton hotels especially by those that realise they can pretty much have walked to reception by the time they have walked to the existing taxi rank which then requires over a mile up Whitehall Road and back via Water LaneIt may also see an "encouragement" of current car users in the Holbeck Village to switch to trains especially if accompanied by a crackdown on the low cost of the car parks on Sweet Street