Did you know that Leeds is the largest European city without any kind of light rail or metro system? That means that if you want to get further afield without a car, you’re limited to the bus, which can be a right pain during rush hour. But, things are finally changing. Last year plans were announced for a vast new tram network in the city, however it needs a lot of money in order to become a reality.
Earlier this month, to get things moving, Tracy Brabin, the mayor of West Yorkshire, called on the government to approve £1bn in funding. Once approved, construction on the £2.5bn tram system will be able to start by 2028.
Brabin has previously said that the network would be ‘transformational for the north’. In a recent statement, she added: ‘To grow the economy, we need to invest in transport. We’re on a mission to get spades in the ground on a tram network by 2028.
‘This is going to be a game changer for West Yorkshire, and we’re determined to deliver.’
Nearly 5,000 individuals and organisations took part in a consultation with West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) over the plans. In February, WYCA reported that more than two-thirds were in favour of the proposed tram route.
The first phase of the project is focusing on two main lines – one in Bradford and one in Leeds. Exact routes haven’t been decided yet, but for the Bradford line, the project aims to connect Bradford and Leeds city centres and cover areas such as Thornbury, Laisterdyke, Pudsey, Armley and Wortley.
For the Leeds line, proposed routes prioritise key locations like Leeds General Infirmary, the South Bank, Holbeck and Beeston.
The WYCA says that it will use the consultation feedback to help them select their preferred options. More than three quarters of the participants supported a line from St James's Hospital in the north of Leeds to the White Rose Shopping Centre in the south of the city.
ICYMI: Inside £1 billion plans for the ‘Welsh tube’.
Plus: Inside plans for a £189 million ‘Very Light Rail’ transport system in Coventry.
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