Most popular Leeds Mass Transit routes revealed

A report from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority shows feedback from public consultation was highly positive, with 77% of respondents expressing support for the Leeds Line and 71% keen for the Bradford Line, as Phase One remains on schedule to have spades in the ground by 2028.

Public consultation on the two lines received almost 5,000 responses, with the most supported route for Leeds city centre section going via East Parade and Infirmary Street, and the most popular route for the South Leeds section going via Elland Road.

The most supported route option for the Bradford Line was via Stanningley and Armley.

The report, which will be presented at next week’s WYCA meeting, noted that the mass transit team will now make decisions on preferred routes, refine the sustainability strategy, and make more detailed proposals for the scheme, as well as engage with landowners affected by the proposals.

Later on this year, the combined authority will choose an option for the preferred route between Leeds centre and White Rose (Leeds Line), as well as for the Bradford Line linking the two cities.

A key milestone will be reached in spring, when the market procurement exercise will begin to secure a potential supply chain.

Route options for the mass transit scheme. Credit: WYCA

The survey found strong support for the sustainability aspects of the project, with 70% agreeing that reducing carbon emissions and improving air quality was a priority.

71% of people also agreed, or tended to agree, that the trams will improve placemaking in the city.

As well as public consultation, the mass transit team has also spent its time from June 2024 developing a cost plan for the capital and operating expenses, an outline construction delivery strategy, a utilities strategy, and the operations and maintenance outline for the scheme.

The report also noted that West Yorkshire’s stand at UKREiiF will focus on the mass transit proposals.