West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin has laid out plans for a tram system that will connect Leeds and Bradford.
Proposals for the system were unveiled today (Thursday 7 March), as West Yorkshire Combined Authority prepared for its final meeting before May’s Mayoral election of West Yorkshire’s leaders. Set to take place on 14 March, the meeting will see members approve the submission of a ‘strategic outline case’ document to the Department for Transport.
The combined authority added that it hoped construction of the project’s early stages would begin in 2028.
Phase one of the project would comprise two lines serving Leeds and Bradford, The Leeds Line and the Bradford Line. The Leeds Line would carry passengers between St James’ Hospital, through Leeds city centre and on to Elland Road and the White Rose Shopping Centre.
The Bradford Line would run between Leeds city centre and Bradford city centre, as well as linking Bradford Forster Square station with Bradford’s new railway station. The combined authority added that this line would support the regeneration of Bradford’s southern gateway – including the new railway station.
The system’s exact route will be agreed after a full public consultation in summer.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority said that it would also work with other local authorities, ensuring that future phases of the network reached Kirklees, Calderdale, and Wakefield.
The Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy 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.”
Leader of Bradford Council Susan Hinchcliffe added: “West Yorkshire is currently the biggest region in the country without a mass transit system. These tram proposals are part of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for comprehensive new transport links, which will undoubtedly enhance people’s lives.
“We are already making good progress on developing plans for better rail transport nationally for Bradford, and this exciting new mass transit system supports our aim to connect Bradford more widely across West Yorkshire and also to connect the two Bradford city centre stations.”
Councillor James Lewis, Leader of Leeds City Council, concluded: “Mass transit will transform transport across our city and the wider region, helping to boost our economy and bringing our communities within easier reach of jobs and leisure opportunities.
“This is an important step forward in delivering mass transit, but there is still much to do and we are committed to working with the Combined Authority and our partners so this can be achieved for the benefit of people across West Yorkshire.”
