Planned routes unveiled for a regional mass transit network

Detailed proposed routes for the first phase of a new West Yorkshire mass transit network have been released by Mayor Tracy Brabin.

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.

It is estimated that £2.5bn worth of funding will be needed to get construction work on the network under way.

The details were revealed today – 15 July – 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 will run until September 30.

The Leeds 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.

Brabin said: “West Yorkshire is a truly special place to live and work, but learning, earning a living or spending time with friends and family should not be limited by a difficult journey.

“A crucial part of our growth mission, Mass Transit will transform the transport options available to the people of West Yorkshire, as well as attracting investment into the region and boosting our economy.

“We want to create a better-connected West Yorkshire, with a Mass Transit system that is affordable, easy to use, and safe and secure for all.”

Once preferred routes have been developed, a further statutory consultation will follow in 2025.

It will include proposals for tram stops, depots, potential park and ride sites and engineering works.

In parallel with phase one, the Combined Authority will continue to work with Kirklees Council on the Dewsbury Line Development Project, as well as Calderdale and Wakefield councils for future phases, so no part of West Yorkshire is left behind.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe

Leader of Bradford Council and chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Transport Committee, Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe said: “Having a tram system will be a leap forward for the West Yorkshire economy and, given the size of Bradford and the number of workers we have here, I’m pleased to see our city benefit from this tram link in the first phase.

“The route would service communities which have never been connected before, providing better access to jobs and opportunities.

“I’m pleased to see the Mayor and the Combined Authority making good progress on delivering the tram link which over the coming years will gradually build out across the whole of West Yorkshire.”

Following this options consultation and the preferred route consultation in 2025, an application to the Secretary of State for Transport would be made for legal powers and planning permission to build and operate phase one.

This would be in the form of a Transport Works Act Order in the second half of 2026. Work is expected to begin in 2028, with first lines operational by the early 2030s.

Leader of Leeds City Council, Cllr James Lewis, said: ”Mass transit will transform transport connectivity across our city, helping to deliver inclusive growth and attracting even more investment.

“As the largest city in western Europe that does not currently have a mass transit system, it is vitally important that our residents and businesses across Leeds have their say on these initial options so that the preferred routes put forward by the Combined Authority next year are the right ones for our communities.”

Councillor James Lewis

Dame Linda Pollard, trust chair at Leeds Teaching Hospitals, said: “Our hospitals are a constant hive of activity, with over 20,000 colleagues and more than 1.6million patients every year.

“Including our two main hospital sites – St James’s Hospital and Leeds General Infirmary – would not only allow our staff and patients get to us easier and in a more sustainable way, it would also contribute to the reduction of health inequalities across our local communities.

“As we embark on our plans to build a state-of-the-art hospital for children, adults and maternity services at Leeds General Infirmary, access and connectivity is crucial.”

Director of Bradford Literature Festival, Syima Aslam, said: “This is going to be fantastic for transport in West Yorkshire, not just for our economy, but also culturally.

“Ensuring as many people as possible are able to access the diverse cultural offerings across our region is vital for the region to be a national and international cultural destination, and to help enrich lives for generations to come.”