Senior councillors in Leeds are to discuss how the Connecting Leeds transport strategy actions and the successful delivery of the public transport investment are transforming travel across the area.

Next Wednesday’s (8 February) Executive Board meeting is to hear how a record amount of work has been completed under the banner of the Connecting Leeds transport strategy and plan in the year since it was approved by councillors.

The vision for Connecting Leeds is to deliver transformational change in the transport network and connectivity across Leeds and the wider region, helping to bring people, places, jobs, learning and leisure closer together. This was to be achieved through improvements to road, rail, bus, park, and ride, cycling and walking services and infrastructure, reducing congestion, and improving air quality and accessibility.

The Council says a key part of this transport strategy is to increase the use of public transport, which contributes to carbon reduction by encouraging modal shift away from the private car and supporting inclusive growth by making it easier to access education, employment, and public services.

Alongside this, the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme, a £270 million investment into the transport network concluded, after four years of transformative works, in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, bus operators and other transport stakeholders. This is delivering significant improvements to the bus network, enhanced facilities for pedestrians and cyclists and transformed the public realm.

A video has been produced called ‘A better-connected Leeds’ to highlight the transformation that’s taken place:

(Picture – Leeds City Council)