NEWS

WE NEED YOUR FEEDBACK

To help inform the Knottingley to Goole Rail Corridor Study, Stantec want to hear residents' views on the transport problems they experience when travelling in the study area and have produced two surveys for this purpose:

Survey 1 is aimed at residents of the Eggborough to Goole corridor as defined in the below map and can be accessed via the following link:

Survey 1 Eggborough to Goole Corridor

Survey 2 is aimed at residents of the Wakefield area as defined in the below map and can be accessed via the following link:

Survey 2 Wakefield Area

The surveys should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete.

You must be 16 or over to complete the survey.

The closing date for the survey is Sunday, 12th October 2025.

Eggborough to Goole corridor

Wakefield area

KNOTTINGLEY TO GOOLE RAIL CORRIDOR SURVEY

8 SEPTEMBER 2025

Stantec has been commissioned to develop a ‘Case for Change’ for improving the strategic public transport connectivity of Goole and settlements in the Lower Aire Valley (Eggborough, Hensall, Snaith and Rawcliffe), including connections between these locations and Leeds, Hull and Wakefield District.

The study has emerged from strong stakeholder support at local and pan-regional level for the longstanding aspiration for a regular rail service between Goole and Knottingley, and onwards to Leeds and Hull respectively.

It is being led by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and a wider client group which includes Hull City Council, North Yorkshire Council, Wakefield Council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA), and York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority (YNYCA).

To help inform the Case for Change, Stantec are seeking residents’ views on travel to and from the study area. This could support a range of options, including a regular rail service between Goole and Leeds via Knottingley.

The study area (shown in the map below) is focused on the Normanton to Goole Corridor and encompasses the communities of Normanton, Castleford, Featherstone, Knottingley, Pontefract, Eggborough (Whitley Bridge), Hensall, Snaith, Rawcliffe and Goole.

In the recent past, there have been significant changes in the economy of the Lower Aire Valley and this has led to changes in travel demand. There are several aspects to this, including:

Employment development - of particular importance has been the development of the 300-acre Goole 36 site, which is part of the Humber Enterprise Zone and includes several large, modern and high value companies. More recently, Siemens Mobility has invested heavily in a major rolling stock factory in Goole, which is manufacturing the new trains for the Piccadilly Line in London. In addition, a further 500-acres of development at Goole is coming forward as part of the Humber Freeport which offers a range of tax incentives with occupiers, such as Metsä Tissue, already secured. There are also significant new developments in the wider study area, including the Core 62 site on the former Eggborough Power Station and Konect62 at Kellingley. Such sites must be able to draw from as wide a labour market as possible, and providing appropriate public transport connectivity is therefore essential in this regard.
Housing development - like most local authorities in England, East Riding of Yorkshire and North Yorkshire are required to significantly expand their annual housing completions. In the case of East Riding, from 817 completions per annum to 2,088, a 156% increase, and for North Yorkshire, from 1,361 completions per annum to 4,232, a 211% increase. Several large housing sites are already being explored within or in close proximity to the study area, including a new 1,500-unit site to the west of Eggborough and the potential development of Drax Power Station. In addition to the 800 new homes already being built in Goole, a further 1,800 homes have obtained planning permission in Howden (J37) in order to support Goole's employment growth. The required expansion in housing completions is considerable and also has to be achieved against a backdrop of minimising car-based travel and associated emissions. Integrating public transport into new developments is therefore essential.
Greater demand for regional and leisure travel - there has been a strong trend towards devolution within England over the last decade, with cities such as Leeds growing strongly as Regional Centres. This has created an increased demand for labour, including in city-based service, finance and knowledge sectors businesses, generating a requirement for improved regional public transport connectivity. There has also been a growth in demand for leisure travel, with several leisure-based destinations in close proximity to the study area, including Xscape and the Junction 32 Shopping Outlet.

Reflecting these societal and travel trends, there is a recognition that there may be a requirement to improve strategic transport connectivity in the study area. With this in mind, this study seeks to develop a robust ‘Case for Change’ which sets out:

the transport problems in the study area and the impact of these on peoples’ travel behaviour and wider society
a set of Transport Objectives which express the outcomes sought and describe how the problems will be addressed

The development of a robust Case for Change will provide the foundation for any subsequent business case which will include the identification and appraisal of a range of options for improvement, including potentially a regular rail service between Goole and Leeds via Knottingley.

The study includes a detailed policy review, extensive data analysis, and a targeted stakeholder and public engagement exercise.

LAVRAG lAUNCHES YOUTUBE CHANNEL

14 SEPTEMBER 2020

GOOLE TO LEEDS TRAVEL PREFERENCES SURVEY RESULTS SEPTEMBER 2019

Q01: Where do you live?

Q02: Are you Male or Female?

Q03: How old are you?

Q04: On average, how many times have you travelled to Leeds in the last 12 months?

Q05: What predominant mode of transport did you use to complete the journey to Leeds?

Q06: If there were a more frequent direct train link from Goole to Leeds via Rawcliffe Bridge, Snaith, Hensall, Whitley Bridge and Knottingley would you use it?

Q07: On average, how many times have you visited Xscape Yorkshire / Junction 32 Shopping Outlet in the last 12 months?

Q08: What predominant mode of transport did you use to complete the journey to Xscape Yorkshire / Junction 32 Shopping Outlet?

Q09: If there were a more frequent direct train link from Goole to Xscape Yorkshire / Junction 32 Shopping Outlet via Rawcliffe Bridge, Snaith, Hensall, Whitley Bridge and Knottingley would you use it?

THOUSANDS RESPOND TO RAIL SURVEY

GOOLE TIMES

26 SEPTEMBER 2019

There has been a huge local response to a recent survey regarding an improved direct rail service between Goole and Leeds.

Goole MP, Andrew Percy, has been working with local councillors and the Lower Aire Valley Rail Action Group (LAVRAG) on a campaign for improved services on the Goole-Leeds line.

The Goole-Leeds line is one of 17 services being considered for an upgrade via the Service Option Scheme Fund. This fund aims to improve services on routes which were not improved as part of the recent re-franchising agreements. The 17 hopeful projects will be whittled down during the final stages, with the successful projects being rolled-out from the end of 2020 onwards.

For the Goole to Leeds line, the proposal will consider introducing an hourly service along the route. This would connect not just Goole, but also Rawcliffe and Snaith to places in West Yorkshire such as Xscape in Castleford along the route to Leeds.

As part of their campaign, Mr Percy, local councillors and LAVRAG recently launched a survey asking for residents' thoughts on an improved service to the line. Andrew and his local team helped deliver thousands of these surveys throughout Snaith, Airmyn, Rawcliffe and elsewhere.in the local area. The MP and LAVRAG have been collating the data from the returned surveys in order to prove to decision makers that there is demand for increased services along this route.

Commenting on the response, Mr Percy said: "We are very grateful to residents for their fantastic response to the survey. We received thousands of replies, which LAVRAG and my team are currently working through. We will now use this data to support our efforts for improved services on the Goole-Leeds line. We are giving it our all and will shortly know if our efforts have been successful or not."

PEOPLE MUST PROVE DEMAND TO WIN DIRECT GOOLE TO LEEDS TRAIN SERVICE, SAYS TOWN MP

GOOLE TIMES

JACOB WEBSTER jacob.webster@gooletimes.info

27 JUNE 2019

Campaigners pushing for a Goole to Leeds train line are set to take the next step in their fight for better services. A business case for a hourly direct service to and from the city is being prepared by East Riding of Yorkshire Council with the hopes of the project being rolled out by next year. It's being backed by a resident's rail group and Goole MP Andrew Percy who said it's now key that people in the area prove there is a demand for it. This is because it's one of 17 projects in the north of England being put forward to Northern Rail and only less than half of the train plans will be given the go-ahead.

Mr Percy has been campaigning for the Leeds service with the Lower Aire Valley Rail Action Group. He said: "More and more people are working in Leeds and wanting to access things like Xscape in Castleford, so, that's why I and the Lower Aire Valley Rail Action Group are currently sending out a survey to prove that demand for the service. It would be no good to have infrequent trains so that's why we are really pushing for it to be hourly - we want people who work and study in Leeds to be able to rely on it in case they get stuck or are late for any reason. We generally have really good services in Goole with regular services to Hull, Doncaster and Sheffield with easy connections to London, but a Leeds line is really what it's missing."

The proposed service would also connect Rawcliffe and Snaith where services were described as "pretty terrible" by Mr Percy.

The Lower Aire Valley Rail Action Group was formed last year and have since been campaigning for the plans which they previously said would "benefit the whole community!'

Mr Percy also previously said approved plans to build 800 homes and a recent planning application for the Siemens train factory to be built in Goole should help strengthen the business case. The case is now being considered by Northern Rail as part of a Service Option Fund run by the Government. East Riding of Yorkshire Council are the ones who were working on the plans alongside the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.

East Riding's councillor Chris Matthews, said: "The council has been lobbying for an improvement in this service for many years but through the current franchising arrangements there is scope for funding a small number of service improvements across the north. East Riding of Yorkshire Council, together with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority have made a case for hourly direct rail services between Goole and Leeds and this is currently being considered by Northern Rail. The request has the full support of Andrew Percy MP and the ward councillors for the areas affected. At present we do not have a firm time scale for a decision and there are a significant number of similar requests from across the region in competition with ours."

GOOLE TO LEEDS TRAVEL PREFERENCES SURVEY

24 JUNE 2019

The LAVRAG campaign for improved direct train services between Goole and Leeds, via Rawcliffe Bridge, Snaith, Hensall, Whitley Bridge and Knottingley is moving forward building the business case for the Service Options Fund bid to be considered by Northern Rail and Transport for the North. Please help us build up the business case by taking part in the short survey below, which should only take a few minutes to complete.

MEETING WITH ANDREW PERCY MP, NORTHERN RAIL, TRANSPORT FOR THE NORTH AND THE EAST RIDING OF YORKSHIRE COUNCIL

1 FEBRUARY 2019

Following our meeting with Andrew Percy, Member of Parliament for Brigg and Goole, Northern Rail, Transport for the North and the East Riding of Yorkshire, this is what Andrew had to say on his official Facebook page and Website.

Had a really great meeting this morning at Goole Leisure Centre as part of our joint campaign for improved rail services on the Goole to Leeds line.

Cllr Caroline Fox and I met with Transport for the North, Northern Rail, The East Riding of Yorkshire Council and a representative of the Lower Aire Valley Rail Action Group (LAVRAG). Upgrades to the services are being considered as part of the Service Option Fund, which the Government helped create. There are about 17 projects being considered, of which ours is one.

The aim of this fund is to improve services on routes that were not improved as part of the recent re-franchising agreements. Of the 17 projects, probably 6 or so will make it to the final stages. The successful projects would then roll-out from the end of 2020 onwards.

For the Goole to Leeds line, the proposal will consider introducing an hourly service along the route. This would connect not just Goole but also Rawcliffe and Snaith to places in West Yorkshire such as Castleford (Xscape).

To move this forward we agreed a number of options, including a renewed joint push by the East Riding and the West Yorkshire Councils. The recent announcement of up to 800 new houses in Goole and 700 new jobs by Siemens helps to improve the business case for the upgrades.

The Rail Action Group and I have also offered to undertake some surveying of the local area to gather useful data which can help the case. This needs to be more than just asking residents if they want the service, it has to be demonstrable evidence which is why we are going to spend a little time working to get the survey options right. We will keep residents updated.

I also took the opportunity to raise the recent strike action with Northern Rail which has led to the suspension of the Saturday services through Goole. Sadly, the rail union is still refusing to go to arbitration which is a shame as the only way this dispute will be sorted is by people talking to each other! Northern Rail assure me they are training more managers and are looking at how Saturday evening services can be returned to Goole asap. I have pushed them on this repeatedly.

Notes - The meeting was attended by AndrewPercy MP, Cllr Caroline Fox (Ward Councillor Snaith, Rawcliffe, Airmyn and the Marshlands), Hugh Chaplain from Transport for the North, Mark Jessop - Principal Transport Policy Officer at ERYC, Pete Myers - Interim Head of Trains and Stations (East Region) Northern Rail and Sorin Castravete Chairman LAVRAG (Lower Aire Valley Railway Action Group ).

CAMPAIGNERS CONTINUING EFFORTS TO SCARE AWAY GHOST TRAIN

OURGOOLE.CO.UK

23 JANUARY 2019

A local group in Goole have continued to step up their campaign, encouraging the Train Operator Company (TOC) to increase the direct passenger service between Goole and Leeds.

LAVRAG, Lower Aire Valley Railway Action Group, are pushing forward their campaign in an attempt to make greater use of the existing infrastructure, as well as bringing a number of logistical benefits to those who use the Goole to Leeds line, to the mutual benefit of the TOC and nearby communities.

It is a fact of history that good rail services assist towns and villages along the line to grow, prosper and develop. The growth of such communities provides profitable long-term revenue to passenger train operators.

It is believed that a direct rail service between Goole and Leeds would be attractive to the growing number of commuters travelling from the communities above, due to car journeys being neither time or cost effective.

In addition to the commuter demand, this service also has strong potential to attract tourism and increased options for socialising, that could provide local economic growth.

The provisions that are currently in place, are known as ‘The Ghost Trains’ operating directly between Goole and Leeds, passing through Rawcliffe, Snaith, Hensall and Whitley Bridge. These journeys have acquired such a title due to their inconvenient departure times, and consequent lack of passengers.

Looking back, It seems hard to believe that in the 1960s and 70s, the same service had up to 11 trains operating per day, and even 5 trains per day in the 80s.

In the last 18 years the population in the catchment area has increased significantly, approx. 9%, according to the 2001 – 2011 censuses. This amounts to a large population that does not have a frequent direct rail link between Goole, Leeds and the surrounding towns and villages.

To help and support the group go to the Facebook page for Lower Aire Valley Rail Action Group to take part in the poll or contact your local council or MP.

LAVRAG LAUNCHES FACEBOOK PAGE

8 JANUARY 2019

Today LAVRAG launched the brand new Facebook page where you can follow the actions of the group, like us, post your comments and participate in the polls.

RAIL GROUP TAKE MESSAGE TO MP

GOOLE TIMES

11 OCTOBER 2018

A group looking to increase direct rail services between Goole and Leeds are being supported by Goole MP Andrew Percy.

Mr Percy met with the Lower Aire Valley Railway Action Group (LAVRAG) to discuss a shared interest in the increase in direct passenger services between Leeds and Goole.

LAVRAG provide Mr Percy with an overview of their plans and aims, along with supportive documentation and their findings in favour of an increased service.

This followed Mr Percy's meeting with the Minister of State for Transport Jo Johnson MP earlier this year in which the MP outlined to the Minister the local need for the Goole to Leeds rail link.

Following the meeting, Sorin Castravete, chairman of LAVRAG, said: "It has been a privilege and a great opportunity for our group to meet and share with Andrew our goals and plans for an increased direct passenger service between Goole and Leeds. We were all encouraged by the positive and supportive approach from Andrew and hope to develop our collaboration further to deliver improved public transport opportunities for our communities along the Lower Aire Valley, from Goole to Knottingley."

Mr Percy said: "It was a pleasure to meet with the members of LAVRAG to discuss our shared goal to improve passenger services for communities in our area. There are many benefits to a direct rail service between Goole and Leeds; not only for the commuters themselves, but also for the wider encouragement of tourism and economic growth. I will, therefore, continue to work with LAVRAG on this issue on behalf of commuters in our area."

RAIL GROUP ON TRACK

GOOLE TIMES

4 OCTOBER 2018

An action group has been formed to campaign for a train line connecting Snaith to Goole and Leeds.

Snaith and Cowick Town Councillor David Bromley told a full council meeting about the aims of the Lower Aire Valley Railway Action Group (LAVRAG).

Cllr Bromley said the group believed there is money available from the government to "reinvigorate transpot links between Goole and Leeds", but would have to be applied for.

He said the group had appointed a treasurer, opened a bank account and was working towards drawing up a constitution.

He said the group would contact parish councils across the route and lobby for support and that its research indicated a direct link connecting Snaith and Leeds would "benefit the whole community".

The group recently met with Andrew Percy MP, who has previously expressed support for improved services on the line.

MEETING WITH ANDREW PERCY MP

7 SEPTEMBER 2018

Following our meeting with Andrew Percy, Member of Parliament for Brigg and Goole, this is what Andrew had to say on his official Facebook page and Website.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting with members of the Lower Aire Valley Rail Action Group (LAVRAG) to discuss our shared interest in increasing direct passenger services between Goole and Leeds. This follows on from my meeting earlier this year with Transport Minister, Jo Johnson MP, where I lobbied the minister on this issue.

There are many benefits to increasing passenger services between Goole and Leeds; not only for commuters going to work, but also for the wider encouragement of leisure travel and tourism and the economic benefits this brings. I will, therefore, continue to work with LAVRAG and lobby on behalf of passengers in our area.

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