A SMALL market town is set to welcome a huge new £25million train station in the next two years. The new train station will serve Elland - a pretty market town in Yorkshire. CGI shows exactly what the new Yorkshire-based train station could look like, with two elevated platforms with lifts, ramps and steps. Other improvements will also be made to the surrounding area with upgrades to walking and cycling routes. Two new pedestrian and cycle bridges will also be installed, if enough funding is acquired.
When Elland Rail Station opens in 2026, it will become an additional stop on the Calder Valley Line that connects Leeds to Hebden Bridge. Further afield, trans will also run to other destinations like Huddersfield, Bradford and Manchester.
Located in Calderdale in West Yorkshire, Elland is home to just over 15,000 residents. But the pretty market town is also part of the Calderdale Way - a 50 mile walking route that snakes through the Yorkshire countryside. It is is also home to Rex Cinema, one of Britain's oldest surviving picture houses. Dating back to 1912, people have said its like "stepping back in time" although it still shows modern releases. There are also plenty of pubs in Elland like the Fleece Inn, a family-run 400-year-old pub with an extensive beer garden and children's play area. If you like shopping, you're in luck because Elland town centre has plenty to offer shopaholics. This includes the Elland Open Market, which dates back to 1317 and is one of the smallest in the area, selling locally-made food and goods. Elland is a 15-minute drive from Huddersfield.
The Impact of the New Station on Elland
The new station is expected to have a major impact on Elland, boosting tourism and improving transport links. The town is already popular with visitors who enjoy its picturesque surroundings and its historical attractions. However, the lack of a train station has made it difficult for people to get to Elland, particularly those who are traveling from other parts of the UK or from abroad. The new station will make Elland much more accessible, and this is expected to lead to an increase in visitor numbers.
How the New Station Will Boost Tourism in Elland
The new station will make it easier for people to visit Elland, and this is expected to lead to an increase in visitor numbers. This will have a positive impact on the local economy, as businesses such as hotels, restaurants, shops, and attractions will benefit from the increased footfall. The station will also make it easier for people to explore the surrounding area, including the Calderdale Way and the Yorkshire Dales. This will further boost tourism in the region.
Other Benefits of the New Station
In addition to boosting tourism, the new station will also have a number of other benefits for Elland. These include:
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Improved transport links: The new station will improve transport links between Elland and other towns and cities in the region. This will make it easier for people to get to work, school, and other destinations.
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Reduced traffic congestion: The new station will help to reduce traffic congestion in Elland, as people will be able to choose to travel by train instead of by car. This will benefit both residents and businesses.
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Improved air quality: By reducing traffic congestion, the new station will also help to improve air quality in Elland. This will be a benefit for everyone, particularly those with respiratory conditions.
What’s Next for Elland
The new station is a major investment in Elland, and it is a sign of the town's growing importance as a tourist destination and as a regional hub. The station is expected to open in 2026, and it will be a welcome addition to the town. Once the station is open, Elland is sure to continue to grow and thrive.
The UK is home to some very unique train experiences. The train between Stourbridge Town and Stourbridge Junction takes just three minutes and claims to be the shortest route of its kind in Europe. The railway line stretches for a mere 0.8 miles, with tickets costing just £1.50. Or head to London, as one of the train routes lets passengers feeling like they're in the driving seat. On the Docklands Light Railway (DLR) line, passengers are able to perch on seats right at the front and look out upon the tracks as if they were in charge. For those who like to imagine that they're driving the trains, a new instalment could make it feel even more realistic. Several of the trains running on the DLR lines could soon be fitted with cardboard steering wheels, allowing kids - and adults too - to act as driver. Sun Travel's journalists have taken their fare share of train journeys on their travels and here they share their most memorable rail experiences.
Memorable Train Journeys
Davos to Geneva, Switzerland
"After a ski holiday in Davos, I took the scenic train back to Geneva Airport. The snow-covered mountains and tiny alpine villages that we passed were so beautiful that it felt like a moving picture was playing beyond the glass." - Caroline McGuire
Tokyo to Kyoto by Shinkansen
"Nothing quite beats the Shinkansen bullet train, one of the fastest in the world. It hardly feels like you're whizzing along at speed until you look outside and see the trees a green blur. Make sure to book seat D or E too - as you'll have the best view of Mount Fuji along the way." Kara Godfrey
London to Paris by Eurostar
"Those who have never travelled on the Eurostar may wonder what’s so special about a seemingly ordinary train that takes you across the channel. You won’t have to waste a moment and can tick off all the top attractions from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysées which are both less than five kilometres from the Gare du Nord." - Sophie Swietochowski
Glasgow to Fort William by Scotrail
"From mountain landscapes and serene lochs to the wistful moors, I spent my three-hour journey from Glasgow to Fort William gazing out the window. Sit on the left-hand side of the train for the best views overlooking Loch Lomond." - Hope Brotherton
Beijing to Ulaanbatar
"The Trans-Mongolian Express is truly a train journey like no other. It starts amid the chaos of central Beijing before the city's high-rises give way to crumbling ancient villages and eventually the vast vacant plains of Mongolia, via the Gobi desert. The deep orange sunset seen in the middle of the desert is among the best I've witnessed anywhere." - Ryan Gray
Meanwhile, the world’s most beautiful train station is just one hour from the UK, and it is like "travelling back in time to golden age of rail". And a derelict train station dating back to 1881 could be transformed into a holiday park.
