He added: “Twenty years in the making and really a monumental moment for Elland, our only market town that’s currently not served by a railway station.”
West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin, who chaired the meeting, added: “Many people in Elland will be, hopefully, dancing a jig – finally, they’ve got their station.”
According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service, WYCA members approved £49m for the station, more than double the original cost estimate of £20.3m.
WYCA Director Simon Pope blamed the cost increase on inflation, rising construction costs, increased development costs and more cash included to remove some elements of risk.
It is hoped the station will go into service in 2029, Pope said.
Work on the walking and cycling routes, for which members approved a further £22.7m of WYCA funds, will begin in June.
The money came from about £230m of investment WYCA members approved for a range of projects in Calderdale, including improving the A641 connecting Bradford and Kirklees via the Brighouse area of Calderdale, proposals to develop a business park at Clifton, also near Brighouse, and plans to add new homes, retail and leisure space to Dean Clough, a Grade II listed mill complex in Halifax town centre.
Patient said WYCA’s “unprecedented investment is transforming Calderdale’s towns and places”.