Shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, Alec surveyed the residents of Methley to gauge support for his campaign to install a new railway station at Methley.
As a result of overwhelming support for the idea, Alec drafted a 36-page report (attached below) setting out the case for a new station. Alec opened dialogue with the Department for Transport with an expression of interest in a new funding round for similar proposals. Initial feedback suggested that a successful bid would need to be led by the Combined Authority (now led by the Mayor of West Yorkshire).
With the pandemic now behind us, Alec is trying to get the new Mayor of West Yorkshire on board with the campaign.
The Government's new Levelling Up Fund is designed to invest in infrastructure and transport projects. The Mayor of West Yorkshire can bid directly to the Levelling Up Fund, so Alec has written to the Mayor asking for Methley Railway Station to be part of the West Yorkshire bid.
Alec first raised the idea of a new railway station at Methley in 2015 which then led to residents putting the idea to leaders of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority in 2017. At that time, the Combined Authority did not back the proposal, indeed their earlier reports published in 2014 ruled out support for the proposal, therefore no funding was available.
But now there looks to be fresh hope on the horizon if the new Mayor agrees to bid for funding.
You can download Alec’s 36-page submission below.