WORK is at last starting on a long-awaited new railway station car park.

Construction is getting underway this month on the much-delayed £4.5m-plus scheme at Steeton and Silsden Station, West Yorkshire Combined Authority has announced.

Originally the project was scheduled for completion in October, 2020.

But it has been plagued by setbacks.

The cost of the scheme – being funded by the combined authority – has spiralled from £3,879,000 to over £4.5m.

A new completion date of January 2022 was set, before the timetable was rearranged again.

Now the target is for work to be finished in 12 months time.

West Yorkshire's mayor, Tracy Brabin, says she understands the "frustrations" of commuters following the string of delays but welcomes the fact the scheme is now getting underway.

She said: "As a passionate advocate of rail travel and a commuter myself, I understand the frustrations people have felt due to the slow progress on the Steeton and Silsden Railway Station car park. I can appreciate, however, that improvements like this one may sometimes be met with significant obstacles and problems.

"But I am very pleased to be able to tell the people who use Steeton and Silsden Railway Station that we can now start the important improvements to parking at this location.

"In the climate and environment plan for West Yorkshire, which I launched last year, I committed to deliver a net zero carbon economy by 2038 at the latest. The work at Steeton and Silsden Railway Station will help reduce congestion and improve local air quality, which takes us one step closer to our economic ambition.

"It also goes without saying that improved ease of access to public transport enhances people’s employment, training and apprenticeship opportunities and of course their leisure activities. I welcome these improvements."

The scheme will see parking spaces at the station increased by 102, to a total of 245. There will be nine bays for blue-badge holders.

Currently the car park is regularly full before 9am, and there have been calls for better parking facilities at the site for years.

The combined authority hopes that the new facilities, once up and running, will encourage more people to travel by rail.

During the construction period, the existing main car park will be closed.

A portion of the overflow car park will remain open, with around 40 spaces available. A new vehicular access will be created into Steeton Grove. The pedestrian access from the car park to the platform will be closed during construction – people should use the main entrance on Station Road.

Due to the limited parking whilst work is carried out, people are being encouraged – where possible – to leave their car at home and walk or cycle to the station.

The combined authority is working with train operator Northern on the initiative.

CCTV cameras and low-energy lighting will be included in the new facilities.

Underground ducting will also be installed to support future electric vehicle charging points, should they be introduced.

Parking at the site will be free and the provision will be operated and maintained by Northern Trains Ltd.

The car park scheme is one of 14 projects in phase one of the combined authority’s £31.5 million rail park and ride programme, designed to increase station parking and provide people with increased access to train services.