£71 million funding signed off for Elland Rail Station
The project is around 20 years in the making - with funding finally in place to make it happen
Last updated 16th Mar 2026
At last, it’s full steam ahead for a new railway station for Elland, with more than £71 million of funding unlocked.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) members approved funding for both the new station itself and an access package which will see new walking and cycling routes around it.
Welcoming the decision, Deputy Leader of Calderdale Council, Coun Scott Patient, said it was a “significant moment” for the town.
“Twenty years in the making and really a monumental moment for Elland, our only market town that’s currently not served by a railway station.
“It’s really going to unlock economic growth,” he said.
Coun Patient (Lab, Luddenden Foot), said it would benefit local people and also encourage visitors.
Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, who chaired WYCA’s meeting, said it had been long-awaited and was now approved.
“Many people in Elland will be, hopefully, dancing a jig – finally, they’ve got their station,” she said.
WYCA members approved £49 million for the station itself – the project, which will see further work developed on the business case, will be delivered by Network Rail, which has the expertise, they heard.
Work will begin sooner, in June, on the access package, for which members approved £22.7 million.
It is hoped the station itself will go into service in 2029, said WYCA Director Simon Pope.
The scheme costs are higher than the £20.3 million originally estimated but there were reasons for this, said Mr Pope, including inflation, rising construction costs, increased development costs and more cash included to remove some elements of risk.
The amounts reflected the more cautious approach but can be wholly met from WYCA’s capital programme, he told members.
The approval was among around £230 million of funding WYCA members approved for a range of projects across West Yorkshire.
In Calderdale, it joins other projects WYCA is backing, including improving the A641 route connecting Bradford and Kirklees via the Brighouse area of Calderdale, proposals to develop a business park at Clifton, also near Brighouse, and proposals to add new homes, retail and leisure space to Dean Clough, a Grade II listed mill complex in Halifax town centre.
Coun Patient said WYCA’s “unprecedented investment is transforming Calderdale’s towns and places.”