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South Leeds Life | August 2021
Twitter: @SouthLeedsLife
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About us South Leeds Life is written by and for local people. People who live, work and play in the LS10 and LS11 areas of South Leeds. The website and newspaper are produced by South Leeds Life CIC, a social enterprise registered with Companies House, No 9998695. South Leeds Life is a member of the Independent Community News Network.
Our aims To inform people of events, activities, issues and opportunities taking place in the South Leeds community; To encourage the involvement of the wider community in communicating their experiences; To foster community spirit and involvement; and To provide a platform for local people to contribute and respond to community life more fully. South Leeds Life is pleased to publish views from across the political spectrum, provided they comply with our editorial guidelines. We remain a neutral publication with a diverse readership, as such we do not endorse any particular political party.
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Have your say on the future of Cottingley Rail Station P
eople are being invited to have their say on the future of Cottingley Rail Station as part of a consultation being held by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in partnership with Leeds City Council and Munroe K. As previously reported, construction is due to start later this year on a new, more accessible £24.198 million rail station 800m along the track, near the White Rose Office Park. The consultation will seek people’s views on the proposed closure of Cottingley Rail Station as it will not be possible to maintain the same level of service at both Cottingley and White Rose because they are too close together. Alongside a new rail station, the White Rose scheme also includes better walking and cycling routes to Cottingley, Churwell and Millshaw, as well as the White Rose Shopping Centre and the bus interchange. Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “Building the future we want with a transport system fit for the 21st century is absolutely vital. Schemes such as the new White Rose Rail Station will connect more people with job, training and education opportunities, while also helping us tackle the climate emergency on our way to becoming a net zero carbon economy by 2038.” Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, Transport Portfolio Holder for the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leader of Bradford Council, said:
“A fully accessible rail station at White Rose will bring new opportunities for people in Cottingley, Churwell, Millshaw and Morley, improving transport links and acting as a catalyst for local regeneration, including housing and job growth. “During the next 12-weeks, we will be doing everything we can to engage with local communities on the future of Cottingley Rail Station and I would encourage people to make sure their voices are heard by taking part in this consultation.” According to The Office of Rail and Roads station usage data for 2018/19, Cottingley is the least used station in Leeds. The options being considered as part of the consultation include: • Replacing the existing station at Cottingley with a new station at White Rose. This option is preferred because of the low numbers of people using the station and its lack of step-free access. • Constructing the new station at White Rose and keeping Cottingley open. This option would mean Cottingley Rail Station would have a very infrequent service and it could also weaken the funding case for new walking and cycling routes as part of the White Rose Rail Station development. Leeds City Council executive board member for infrastructure and climate Cllr Helen Hayden said: “Although the plans to build a new White Rose Rail station will undoubtedly bring benefits and
opportunities for the surrounding communities and beyond, it will have an impact on the existing station at Cottingley. “We know Cottingley station is underused, however people still use it, so it’s crucial that the new White Rose station is accessible for rail users. I would urge local communities to get involved in the consultation on the future of the rail station to make sure your voice is heard.” David Aspin, Founder and CEO of Munroe K, said: “The White Rose Railway Station will be a key ingredient in bringing about the regeneration and economic development of south Leeds; being a catalytic element in the future vision for not only White Rose Park, but the wider area also. “It has been a testament to the powerful collaboration between
usiness tenants at the Round Foundry Media Centre in Holbeck are being forced to moved according to a report published by Leeds City Council last month. Leeds City Council has decided to let the headlease on the building lapse due to budget pressure as rents have never covered the cost of the lease. The landlord has refused a request to take on the sitting tenants stating it required the building to be handed back with vacant possession. The Council are supporting remaining tenants to find alternative accommodation. The Round Foundry Media Centre (RFMC) was one of the first buildings completed as part of the ‘Holbeck Urban Village” and opened in 2003. The building includes a number of Grade II listed structures dating from Matthew Murray’s late 18th century revolutionary building. It was her that he produced textile machinery,
steam engines and the first locomotives for the Middleton Railway including Salamanca. It comprises flexible workspace specifically targeted at creative and digital businesses of which there was very little in Leeds at the time.
public and private sector that this key piece of infrastructure development will be delivered to bring about fantastic benefit to our local communities and businesses. “With improved active travel routes including pedestrian walkways, bicycle parking and access, the new station will undoubtedly be pivotal in helping us all build toward a more sustainable future that is less reliant on car travel.” As well as proposals being on display at the White Rose Office Park Planning Cabin, there will also be a series of public webinars and dropin events, subject to Covid-19 restrictions. For more information and to have your say visit www.yourvoice .westyorks-ca.gov.uk/Cottingley. Hard copies of the materials can be provided free of charge by calling (0113) 245 7676 (MetroLine), via Freepost CONSULTATION TEAM (WYCA) or email yourvoice @westyorks-ca.gov.uk. All representations should be returned using the website, email or postal details above by midnight on Monday 4 October 2021.
Cottingley is the least used station in Leeds
Round Foundry tenants forced to move out B
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Yorkshire Forward, the Regional Development Agency, took on the headlease and subsidised the building addressing this ‘market failure.’ When Yorkshire Forward was scrapped the lease passed to the
The Round Foundry Media Centre in Holbeck.
Homes & Communities Agency and then to Leeds City Council. The Council were given funding to cover the losses on the lease, but this has now run out. The building is acknowledged to have been a catalyst for the redevelopment of the area and has helped hundreds of start up businesses. Since its opening occupancy levels have been high at 85-90%, but since the pandemic struck last year levels have fallen to around 30%.
Photo: Russell J Smith via Creative Commons
