The Leeds Station Southern Entrance Project

In December 2013, construction began on a new entrance to Leeds Train Station. The Leeds Station
Southern Entrance (LSSE) project was designed to allow for easier access to the station for
passengers coming from areas downstream the River Aire. Upon completion, the new entrance
would benefit around 20% of customers in the second busiest train station in England. Network Rail,
West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Council are the main promoters of the LSSE. The
chosen contractor was civil engineering firm Caillion plc who also subcontracted to Lakesmere
(Cladding/Roofing), and William Hares (Structural Steelwork) among others. The designer was Mott
MacDonald and the Architect was AHR. The circa was £20 million and the total cost around £12
million.

Construction was completed in late 2015 and the entrance was opened to the public on the 3rd of
January 2016. The iconic new structure stands over the River Aire, with two large piers supporting
from within the water. Three entrances to the LSSE provide entry from Dark Neville Street, Little
Neville Street and Granary Wharf. The new entrance is fully set up with a stair case, escalators and
two lift shafts for movement between its three floors. Electronic train timetables are present upon
entering the new build from the arches, whilst signage is in abundance, directing to the ticket
barriers.

Structurally the new entrance is very impressive. The piers sustain high forces from the river when
it's at full force during months of high rainfall and did so during the recent flooding. They were built
using a number of piles; large amounts of waste had to be pumped out of the river bed, before
water was pumped out of the pile caps and concrete was poured in. The actual entrance itself is a
beautiful skeleton of steelwork that has been covered by multiple layers of cladding and a glazing
finish. The use of the old arches was also an interesting step, steelwork had to be put in to support
the central arch against pressures from the new loading.

(Steel used to strengthen arch, 2015)

From an aesthetic point of view, LSSE has an eye-catching look; the curved shape with an
overhanging top, a front face that's full glass and a shiny gold exterior finish (that mimics scales on a
fish). All of it works well with the river below, especially on a summer’s day when they share the
suns reflective sparkle. One criticism would be the interior design; the old-school look of the brick
arches has been maintained which doesn't really fit in with the modern escalators and lifts, whose
shafts are covered in a bright yellow panel board (again not the best choice). The interior of the
roofing has been left exposed which is not a problem in itself; however the metal sheeting and steel
beams again don't match the brickwork.
The LSSE has been a resounding success cutting travel times for people coming in from the South
Bank area of Leeds, whilst acting as a new and iconic landmark adding to the growth and
development of the City. This resulted in the structure winning the ICE (Institute of Civil Engineers)
Centenary Award for Yorkshire and Humber, at their 2016 Award Ceremony, a fitting award indeed.

(Completed LSSE front view, 2016)