The new entrance to Leeds Station takes shape

The ambitious project to build a new entrance to the train station in Leeds is taking shape.  The £17.4m project kicked off in December 2013.

Concrete blocks
Concrete blocks arrived in December 2013

The first sign of activity was the arrival of dozens of huge concrete blocks. Part of the area on Granary Wharf was fenced off and we were underway!

 

Pontoon on river Aire
Part of the pontoon that emerged in the spring

It was a quiet start but, by April, a huge floating pontoon was in place on the River Aire. The pieces are all delivered to an area out towards Asda’s offices, then floated up river to the site at Granary Wharf.

The Dark Arches were built between 1866 and 1869. Cutting into the base of the structure must have been a nervy moment.

Cutting stonework
Cutting into the base of the arches

This was taken in May, by which time, some impressive kit was assembled on the river.

Pontoon
The pontoon is starting to look impressive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Piles driven into the river bed
Piles driven into the river bed

By the end of May, a series of piles for the foundations have been driven into the river bed.

Foundations growing steadily
Foundations growing steadily

 

 

As we entered July and Yorkshire focussed on the Tour De France, starting a few hundred yards away, the foundations were growing steadily.

Work continues underwater
Work continues underwater

 

By the end of the month, work was progressing underwater!

 

 

 

The concrete starts
The concrete starts

Three weeks later, a concrete base has been added to one of the giant supports. A steel cage is then built like a huge meccano set.

 

Both bases in
Both bases in

This week, almost a year since building started, the two  giant, concrete bases are in place. The project is really taking shape now. More work is going on under the arches but behind closed doors. The project is due to complete next summer. Once open, around 20% of passengers at the country’s second busiest station outside London will use the entrance. I will continue to take photos over the coming months and post again as it nears completion. There is a great time lapse film of the construction here.

 

FFF

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