Rail bosses are looking at the potential for more parking at the new Mirfield Railway Station.
The rebuilt station, which has a new entrance, new platforms, a footbridge and lift access, only had a few extra spaces as a result of the revamp.
The popular station – the only station in Kirklees with a direct train to London – sees commuters’ cars lining both sides of Hopton New Road, causing a bottleneck for through traffic.
Now rail bosses have said high-level talks are underway to look at providing a new car park.
The land that has been identified is the former Jewson builders merchant’s site near the Navigation pub, which is currently used as a compound for Transpennine Route Upgrade (TRU) work teams.
Once work in and around the station is completed – likely to be the middle of 2027 – the compound will no longer be needed.
It is understood the land is already in the rail industry’s ownership and talks are underway between various parties including the TRU, train operator Northern, the Department for Transport and Kirklees Council.
TRU sponsor Paul Sumner said: “New car park provision is being explored. It’s not a done deal but it’s a potential.”
Another possible option to ease the pressure on Mirfield Railway Station would come with the new Ravensthorpe Railway Station being built just down the track.
Ravensthorpe Station is being moved over slightly from where the old one was which would leave a pocket of land which could provide a new 60-space car park.
Mr Sumner said a feasibility study was being carried out. He also raised the potential for the Grand Central train to London, which stops at Halifax and Brighouse before Mirfield and at Wakefield Kirkgate afterwards, to stop at Ravensthorpe, though that was a decision for the train operator in the future.
Mr Sumner also revealed that Ravensthorpe Railway Station may have to change its name as it’s technically a new station in a brand new location, albeit only 650ft (20 metres) from the old one.
The most likely name at this stage would be ‘New Ravensthorpe’ but nothing had been decided.
The old station closed in December 2025 and the new one isn’t due to be completed until summer 2028.
Before Mirfield Railway Station is completely finished there will be another closure lasting 43 days. That closure, around May 2027, will also include work on Helm Lane underpass, off Wood Lane at Battyeford.
