A MASSIVE £161 million upgrade at Leeds railway station is now complete.

And rail bosses say the scheme – the biggest of its kind for around two decades – will benefit all services heading in and out the city, including those on the Airedale line.

Passengers are promised more reliable journeys, although there is a warning that staff availability issues due to Covid could still affect some routes.

In the final phase of the project ­– carried out over Christmas and the new year – more than 200 railway workers remodelled the track layout between platforms four and six, extended platform seven and renewed over 700 metres of line and overhead equipment.

Matt Rice, the north and east route director for Network Rail, said: "These important improvements at Leeds make it easier for us to run more trains on time right across the region.

"We had to run some bus replacement services over the course of the festive period and Covid also affected some services, so thanks to all those passengers who chose to travel.

"The progress we’ve made means better journeys for everyone using the train this year and beyond."

Government rail minister Wendy Morton visited the station to see the improvements, and hailed the completed work as "a major milestone in delivering a modern, fully-connected transport hub fit for the future".

She added: "Leeds Station is a major hub right at the heart of the north – not only a gateway to one of the UK’s most vibrant and lively cities, but a vital transport link enabling people from all over the country to travel for work and pleasure and connect with friends and family. The upgrades are a huge milestone, making these journeys even easier and more punctual."

The improvements are also welcomed by strategic transport body, Transport for the North.

Its chief executive, Martin Tugwell, said: "The completion of these upgrade works at Leeds is welcome news to start the new year.

"The platform and concourse upgrades will mean a better passenger experience for those using the station – and the track work will help to improve the reliability of train services.

"The strength of the return to rail across the north highlights the need for – and benefit of – investment in our rail network. Further investment is required to address both current bottlenecks and provide the capacity that will unlock the north’s economic potential."