Detailed proposed routes for the first phase of a new West Yorkshire mass transit network have been released today by Mayor Tracy Brabin in a major step forward for the region’s plan for growth.
The Mayor visited Downing Street last week for a meeting with Prime Minister Keir Starmer to discuss how Metro Mayors will help deliver the government’s growth mission. Less than a week later, businesses, politicians and other stakeholders gathered in Leeds city centre to hear more about the Mayor’s ambitious plans to revolutionise transport in the region.
People are now being invited to have their say on a choice of proposed route options that will connect central and South Leeds; and Bradford with Leeds.
Phase one of the mass transit network aims to connect St James’ Hospital with south Leeds, with another line running from Bradford city centre to Leeds city centre.
Leeds and Bradford have been chosen as the hubs from which the West Yorkshire mass transit network can grow, as they are the region’s most concentrated centres of population, business, leisure and retail.
All potential phase one options for the Leeds Line run close to the White Rose Centre, with two route options also running close to Elland Road. Some of the other places the proposed route options would aim to connect include Leeds General Infirmary, The South Bank, Holbeck and Beeston.
The Bradford Line will connect people between Bradford city centre and Leeds city centre with the proposed route options aiming to connect areas like Thornbury, Laisterdyke, Pudsey, Armley and Wortley.
Linking up these communities will enable more people to get to jobs and training and education opportunities, all while working towards tackling the climate emergency.
The details were revealed at an event in the Hilton Doubletree Hotel in Leeds City Centre, attended by stakeholders, businesses and politicians.
The Combined Authority wants to hear views from as many people as possible – a public consultation, open to everyone, starts today and will run until September 30. Feedback from members of the public will help us identify benefits and issues with our mass transit routes options for Leeds and Bradford, improve our proposals and help us decide which of these options will go forward to create a Leeds Line and a Bradford Line.
The event also marked the start of the Combined Authority’s engagement on its Local Transport Plan (LTP_, which will guide policy and investment for transport in West Yorkshire up to 2040.
The region’s plans for mass transit will form a key part of Mayor Brabin’s growth plan.
