Work to improve capacity at Leeds station, delivered as part of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, has been awarded an ‘excellent’ BREEAM rating.
The award was presented to the Transpennine Route Upgrade team on the recently-constructed Platform 0 at Leeds Station by Hilary Benn MP, on behalf of the BRE Group.

BREEAM Infrastructure, the world’s leading sustainability assessment, rating and awards scheme for civil engineering, infrastructure, landscaping and public realm projects, recognised the sustainability of the project including the construction of platform 0 and reconstruction of platform 1, which increase capacity for more frequent, longer trains to run through the station.

The Transpennine Route Upgrade is building a greener, faster and better railway between Manchester and York, and recently released its plans to slash carbon emissions, generate thousands of jobs and deliver billions of pounds in social value to the North of England.

The programme’s new sustainability strategy titled ‘Our Guiding Compass’ outlines how the largest rail infrastructure project in the North will save 6 million tonnes of CO2e over a 60-year period after work is complete.

Design and construction teams worked together at Leeds to reduce materials and waste, resulting in a saving of over 144 tonnes of CO2e. This included finding efficiencies through track upgrades, reducing the quantity of materials used and pre-fabricating components off-site, reducing the impact on station users and nearby residents.

Leeds Central MP Hilary Benn said:

“The awarding of excellent in BREEAM infrastructure for the work at Leeds station is testament to all the staff involved and to the sustainable ethos of the Transpennine Route Upgrade.

“Rail travel is vital to the people of Leeds and this recognition shows how sustainability is being built into the future of rail travel across the North of England.”

Neil Holm, Managing Director of Transpennine Route Upgrade said:

“Sustainability is at the heart of the Transpennine Route Upgrade and the recognition from BRE Global for our work at Leeds Station pays tribute to our ambitions.”

“Leeds is a key station on the Transpennine Route Upgrade and to deliver this vital work while making major carbon savings, engaging the community and creating jobs sets a blueprint for the rest of our programme.”

The Transpennine Route Upgrade Sustainability Strategy ‘Our Guiding Compass’ can be accessed at Our Guiding Compass – Transpennine Route Upgrade (thetrupgrade.co.uk).