Leeds City Council is backing the first phase of West Yorkshire’s mass transit scheme, in a report due to go before senior councillors next week.
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority is currently consulting on the first phase of its mass transit scheme, which would see tram routes created between St James’ Hospital and the White Rose office park and shopping centre, and between Leeds and Bradford.
A report to the Leeds City Council’s executive board, to be considered at its meeting at Civic Hall on Wednesday 18 September 2024, states that the council recognises the ‘strategic importance’ of mass transit across Leeds and West Yorkshire in improving transport connections and accelerating economic growth and regeneration.
The report states the council’s preference for Leeds city centre route known as L1 via East Parade and Infirmary Street, connecting to the South Leeds route known as L6 which would travel via Elland Road, Elland Road Stadium and Ring Road Beeston to the White Rose site.
The detailed route is to proposed in the next phase of developing the scheme, but the indicative map shows the route coming out of the city centre along Meadow Road, crossing Holbeck Moor and following Elland Road and the M621 to Elland Road Stadium, then continuing to Ring Road Beeston and White Rose.
As we reported previously, there are three options for South Leeds route, which would join the city centre route at Victoria Bridge and end at the White Rose Shopping Centre via either Holbeck and Elland Road, via Geldard Road, Lowfields Road and Old Lane or along the A653 Dewsbury Road.
The report states that mass transit ‘will play a critical role in helping Leeds to be the city where you don’t need a car, encouraging mode shift from private car use to reduce congestion and meet the council’s carbon net zero targets’.
The report goes on to state that mass transit ‘has the potential to radically change access to the south of the city and particularly the corridor comprising Elland Road, the football stadium, White Rose Office Park and White Rose Shopping Centre, and outer south Leeds, linking to growth points in Kirklees’.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said:
“We are extremely supportive of mass transit in Leeds and the wider West Yorkshire region. It will improve transport connections, bring people within easier reach of jobs and opportunities, boost our economic growth and regeneration ambitions, and have a positive impact on people’s overall quality of life.
“Improved connectivity with our neighbours in Bradford is incredibly important in boosting both cities’ economic potential and is something that we would like to see delivered as soon as possible.
“We recognise that the combined authority’s proposals are at an early stage, and as such we require greater clarity in some key areas, but overall we are keen to realise mass transit and its benefits for our city and the wider region as a whole.”
The executive board report outlines the council’s technical response to the combined authority’s first phase of consultation. Following approval at next week’s executive board meeting, the council will provide its response to the combined authority. The full report can be read here.
The combined authority’s first phase mass transit consultation closes on 30 September 2024. To find out more and have your say visit www.wymasstransit.com.
The final South Leeds drop in consultation session takes place at Cottingley Community Centre (LS11 0HJ) on Monday 16 September from 3-6pm.
This post is based on a press release issued by Leeds City Council
Image: for illustrative purposes only
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