Leeds-Bradford tram set for local sign-off

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority expects to submit to government plans for the first phase of its £2bn mass transit system, with one line linking the cities and a second running to Elland Road.

This week will see the last meeting of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority before May’s local elections, and papers prepared for the meeting see Mayor Tracy Brabin setting out plans to submit to government for the first parts of the much-awaited transport project.

Phase one would include two lines serving Leeds and Bradford, The Leeds Line and the Bradford Line. The Leeds Line would take people between St James’ Hospital, through Leeds city centre and on to Elland Road and the White Rose Shopping Centre.

The Bradford Line would run from Leeds city centre to Bradford city centre, also linking Bradford Forster Square station, now set for a £24m investment, with the proposed new Bradford railway station, thus linking in other projects within the city’s key southern gateway regeneration area.

WYCA said it will also work with Kirklees Council to look into how to include a Dewsbury Line in future.

Brabin said: “Today is a key milestone in our plan to create a better-connected region that works for all. By setting out our plans to submit to government, we are taking a major step forward towards the biggest infrastructure project West Yorkshire has seen since the development of the motorways six decades ago.

“This will be transformational for the North, helping our communities to thrive and our economy to flourish – benefitting generations to come with greater opportunity and prosperity.

“We know that mass transit systems have successfully helped to regenerate areas right across the country by boosting connectivity, opportunity and prosperity – and we will work tirelessly to make sure that happens here in West Yorkshire.”

In time, all five of the councils within WYCA will be included in the network.

WYCA’s strategic outline case document to the Department for Transport is set to be approved by members of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority on 14 March.

The document will then be sent by the Mayor to the government for approval to continue with the development of the scheme. Exact routes are subject to full public consultation.

The Combined Authority will ask the public to have their say in the summer on the possible routes, with the two “phase one” Leeds and Bradford lines expected to be joined later by potential further schemes covering the rest of the region.

It will also work on a £1m Mass Transit development fund to be set aside to support the Dewsbury Line development project, which will look into how to get Mass Transit to connect Kirklees with Leeds.