Support for mass transit as consultation report released

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin added that support from the University of Bradford and the White Rose, shows West Yorkshire is ready and waiting for Mass Transit.

The feedback will help the Combined Authority select its preferred scheme later this year, before consulting on a detailed version of the preferred route in early 2026.

This feedback is important to ensure the final plans meet the needs of the communities and businesses near the routes, and it will help add more details to the development plans for Phase One.

The route options consultation for phase one of the West Yorkshire Mass Transit scheme took place in during summer and autumn 2024, and saw 4,845 individuals and organisations have their say on plans for the region’s biggest proposed infrastructure project in decades.

A report now shows more than two thirds of people surveyed in West Yorkshire supported the plans for a line between Leeds and Bradford, while more than three quarters supporting a line from St James’s Hospital to the White Rose.

Respondents said improving connections with residential areas, reducing traffic congestion and providing quick journey times were the most important outcomes for a mass transit network in the region.

The consultation presented a number of possible route options for each section of the early Mass Transit network, labelled phase one.

In addition to thousands of members of the public, the plans also received support from regional leaders in the worlds of commerce and education.

University of Bradford Vice-Chancellor Professor Shirley Congdon said: “We wholeheartedly support plans for a clean, quick, reliable mass transit system, particularly one than connects Leeds and Bradford.

“Such a scheme will benefit students, workers, businesses and residents. It will help reduce carbon emissions and congestions, it will kickstart growth and entrepreneurialism and ultimately boost local, regional and national economies.”

Steve Foster, Landsec’s Centre Director for White Rose and Trinity Leeds shopping centres, said: “Leeds has always been a city of industry and innovation and deserves a modern transport network to match its ambition. Today is an important step forward for improving connections between north and south Leeds, as well as the rest of West Yorkshire.

“Investment in modern, sustainable transport infrastructure will not only boost economic growth, especially if it links the city centre to the wider region and hubs like White Rose, but also extends access to opportunity for people across the region.”

Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin said: “The public has emphatically told us: ‘we want mass transit!’

“This is our region’s biggest infrastructure project in decades and will help us deliver on the growth mission to put more money in people’s pockets.

“It is time to deliver a tram for the people of West Yorkshire and get spades in the ground by 2028.”

The report comes hot on the heels of Chancellor Rachel Reeves’s recent growth speech, during which she spoke of government’s commitment to support the West Yorkshire Mass Transit scheme.

While no decisions on routes have yet been taken, the route between St James’s Hospital and Leeds city centre supported most by respondents (L1) would run via the First Direct Arena, Leeds Beckett University, Millennium Square, East Parade and Infirmary Street, before heading past City Square and Leeds Rail Station towards Victoria Bridge. This was closely followed by the L2 line, running via East Parade and Park Row.

The consultees most supported south Leeds route (L6) would run via Holbeck, Elland Road Stadium and Beeston Ring Road before finishing at the White Rose. This was followed by L7, which would run via Gelderd Road, Lowfield Road, Elland Road Stadium and Old Lane

A similar level of support was given to all three Bradford Line options, including line B1 (running from Leeds city centre via Armley, Stanningley, Thornbury and Laisterdyke before arriving in Bradford city centre); B2 (via Laisterdyke and Wortley), and B3, (via Laisterdyke and Armley).

While routes are yet to be selected, the findings from the consultation will be considered alongside several other factors including the findings on environmental surveys, further engagement with stakeholders and feasibility analysis to inform the preferred scheme decision later this year. A further consultation on a detailed version of the proposed route will take place in early 2026.