PLANS for a new £15 million entrance to Leeds station have been approved by the city’s Planning Committee, but one councillor has slammed the idea as a ‘white elephant’.

Metro and Network Rail are developing a new southern entrance which will allow people to get in and out of the station from both sides of the river Aire around Granary Wharf.

Funding for developing the scheme has come from Network Rail and Metro, but it is expected that the Department for Transport will fund up to 90% of the cost, with the remainder being found locally. As long as the funding is confirmed, the new entrance could be open in 2012.

Network Rail route director Richard Lungmuss said: “More than 100,000 people come through Leeds station on a normal weekday and the number of passengers is steadily increasing. This new entrance will not only improve access for those coming into the station from the south but will also help us to manage future demand. It will also be a strikingly new ‘door‘ for the city.”

He continued: “This is a vital decision for passengers and a first step for our exciting plans for the station which will continue to improve facilities and services. The new entrance a careful curved design, minimising its size, while remaining modern, accessible and attractive.”

The chairman of Metro, Cllr Ryk Downes, said: “Leeds station is at the heart of the city and the region. The new entrance will tie in with the existing walkway, escalators and lifts at the western end of the station, and create a faster, step-free route to the vibrant areas to the south of the city centre such as Holbeck Urban Village, Bridgewater Place, the riverside and canal basin.

“Together with proposed new stations at Kirkstall Forge, Apperley Bridge and Low Moor, this is a significant investment in local rail travel and the local economy.”

But the approval was not unanimous, being passed by the Planning Committee with a majority in favour of 4 to 2, with one abstention. One councillor told the Yorkshire Evening Post that while he approved of the idea in principle, he felt the new entrance would be in the wrong place. James Monaghan said: “This is a £15 million white elephant’.