Thousands respond to city’s transport plans
The first two phases of consultation and engagement on the plans to transform transport in Leeds resulted in more than 15,000 responses being received.
The second phase of the consultation and engagement on proposed road, rail and park and ride improvements, which ended on August 3, resulted in more than 11,000 views being given.
This added to more than four thousand received in the first phase of consultation which took place earlier in the year.
Together the two phases asked for views on options on improvements to five key road and bus routes in the city, as well as proposed new rail stations at Thorpe Park and White Rose, along with improved park and ride facilities and city centre transport infrastructure upgrades.
These proposed investments in the city’s transport network are part of the Leeds Public Transport Improvement Programme, which is one element of the part of the long-term Connecting Leeds transport strategy which aims to improve all aspects of the transport network in the city and connectivity with the wider Leeds City Region.
Working with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and stakeholders, the vision for the strategy is to make travelling in and around Leeds a more reliable and enjoyable experience and to make using public transport more attractive.
The plans aim to maximise the space and efficiency of the road network for all users, with enhanced cycling and walking provision, as well as improving air quality through reduced congestion in the city.
Work is now underway on collating and analysing all the feedback received from the second phase of the consultation.
Detailed designs on the proposals from the first phase, including improvements to the A61N, A58 and the A647 are now being developed after they were approved to be progressed by the council’s executive board last month.
The board also approved further detailed work being carried out on enhanced park and ride services at Elland Road, Stourton and Alwoodley Gates.
Leeds City Council executive member for regeneration, transport and planning Cllr Richard Lewis said:“This response to these first two phases of the consultation has been very impressive. To receive more than 15,000 comments emphasises once again just how important the issue of transport and travel is to people in Leeds, and makes clear again how much people want us to get on and make a difference to their daily lives which we are committed to doing.
“We are keen to implement these schemes and what people have told us they want to see as soon as possible so we are looking forward to working up the detailed designs and delivering Connecting Leeds.”
Cllr Kim Groves, chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, said: “The fantastic response to this consultation shows just how important a modern, efficient and customer-focused transport system is to the people of Leeds and the wider region.
“The Connecting Leeds programme is providing significant investment in bus, road and rail improvements that will make it easier for people to travel to work, education and leisure opportunities within Leeds and across West Yorkshire. Alongside our £1 billion West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund, it’s another example of how the Combined Authority is investing in immediate improvements to our local network alongside longer term improvements such as HS2 and Northern Powerhouse rail to create the 21st century transport network our region needs and deserves.”
