Cottingley railway station serves the Cottingley and Churwell areas of Leeds, West Yorkshire, England. It lies south west of Leeds on the Huddersfield Line. It is the nearest railway station to Leeds United F.C.'s Elland Road stadium. A White Rose railway station is planned south of Cottingley station, to open in 2022. Following a review, West Yorkshire Combined Authority decided to close Cottingley station rather than retain it, on the grounds of its inaccessibility and that White Rose station was better connected to businesses and places of education. History The station was opened by British Rail on 25 April 1988 with financial assistance from West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive and is currently managed by Northern Trains; however, most trains that call at Cottingley are now operated by TransPennine Express apart from three peak hour services. Following the approval of plans for a new White Rose Station to the south. Cottingley Station is set to close in late 2022 to early 2023. The decision was made due to the station's poor accessibility and the improved location for the new station. Patronage growth Patronage at Cottingley station (off Cottingley Drive) has increased significantly in recent years, and this is reflected by the figures published by the Office of the Rail Regulator (ORR). Recorded usage in 2002/03 was 9,467 journeys per year (average of entries and exits). By 2005/06, this had increased to 73,894 journeys per year, an increase of 781% (almost eightfold) in four years. Actual growth may be higher, since the ORR data does not accurately take account of the multi-modal 'MetroCard' season tickets issued by WYPTE which are valid for journeys to and from this station. From 2008/9, such MetroCard data are included, but only an estimation is made. Recent growth can also be attributed in part by a significant new housing development adjacent to the railway station, called Churwell New Village. That, combined with growth elsewhere on the line, means that overcrowding in the morning peak for commuters heading towards Leeds is now a serious problem. Efforts to address this have been hampered by the relatively short platforms at the station, which limited the length of trains that can call here. The platforms have since been extended (towards Leeds) and can now accommodate three car trains easily. Network Rail further extended the platforms in November/December 2018. Facilities The station is unmanned and has only basic shelters on each platform.