Senior appointment made to help overhaul region’s transport network

Kevin Murray has been hired as West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s interim director of mass transit.

He is joining on secondment from Leeds-based infrastructure experts Turner & Townsend, while the Combined Authority looks to recruit to the permanent position.

He has experience in the construction industry working on major projects such as the Edinburgh Tram Project, the Edinburgh Airport Rail project and on rail projects such as the Jubilee Line Extension and Thames link Programme.

The Combined Authority, working with partner councils, published the West Yorkshire mass transit vision in January 2021, which sets out an ambitious public transport strategy for this region.

Two weeks ago the Government confirmed the £830m “City Regional Sustainable Transport Settlement” for West Yorkshire, which included over £100m for developing the mass transit programme.

Over the coming months, Murray will lead the initial stages of the mass transit programme. The programme is part of the Combined Authority’s ambition to overhaul the transport network in the region.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “This is an exciting time for the region as we look at ways to transform the transport network. A new mass transit system in West Yorkshire is going to be a key element linking communities with quick, reliable service, integrated with cycling, walking, bus and rail.

“I am confident Kevin’s appointment will help us deliver a mass transit system that will benefit many generations to come.”

Ben Still, managing director of West Yorkshire Combined Authority, said: “This is significant step towards the Combined Authority’s ambitions to bring a mass transit system to West Yorkshire.

“Kevin brings a wealth of experience, including working on mass transit in Scotland and I am sure he will provide hugely valuable leadership during this period to get the project going now that it has the financial backing from the Government.”