Plans


have
been
unveiled
for
the
first
two
lines
on
the
proposed
West
Yorkshire
tram
system,
after
former
Prime
Minister
Rishi
Sunak
announced
funding
for
the
scheme
as
one
result
of
abandoning
Phases
2A
and
2B
of
HS2
between
the
West
Midlands,
Crewe
and
Manchester.

A
public
consultation
has
been
launched
by
West
Yorkshire
Combined
Authority,
which
is
suggesting
that
Phase
1
of
the
tram
scheme
would
see
links
built
between
central
and
south
Leeds,
and
also
between
Leeds
and
Bradford.

The
publication
of
the
proposals
follows
a
meeting
last
week
with
Prime
Minister
Sir
Keir
Starmer
to
discuss
how
the
Metro
Mayors
will
help
with
the
government’s
mission
for
growth.

Leeds
and
Bradford
have
been
chosen
as
the
hubs
from
which
the
West
Yorkshire
network
can
grow,
as
they
are
the
region’s
most
concentrated
centres
of
population,
business,
leisure
and
shopping. 

All
potential
phase
one
options
for
the
Leeds
Line
run
close
to
the
White
Rose
Centre,
with
two
route
options
also
running
close
to
Elland
Road.

Some
of
the
other
places
the
proposed
route
would
aim
to
connect
include
Leeds
General
Infirmary,
The
South
Bank,
Holbeck
and
Beeston.

The
Bradford
Line
will
connect
Bradford
city
centre
and
Leeds
city
centre.
The
proposed
route
would
include
areas
such
as
Thornbury,
Laisterdyke,
Pudsey,
Armley
and
Wortley.

The
Mayor
of
West
Yorkshire
Tracy
Brabin
said: ‘West
Yorkshire
is
a
truly
special
place
to
live
and
work,
but learning,
earning
a
living
or
spending
time
with
friends
and
family
should
not
be
limited
by
a difficult
journey.

‘A
crucial
part
of
our
growth
mission,
Mass
Transit
will
transform
the
transport
options
available
to
the people
of
West
Yorkshire,
as
well
as
attracting
investment
into
the
region
and
boosting
our
economy.

‘We
want
to
create
a
better-connected
West
Yorkshire,
with
a
Mass
Transit
system
that
is
affordable,
easy
to
use,
and
safe
and
secure
for
all.’

Once
the
preferred
routes
have
been
developed,
a
further
statutory
consultation
will
follow
in
2025.
This
consultation
will
include
proposals
for
tram
stops,
depots,
potential
park
and
ride
sites
and
engineering
works. 

The
Combined
Authority
said
it
will
continue
to
work with
Kirklees
Council
on
the
Dewsbury
Line
Development
Project,
and
also
with
Calderdale
and
Wakefield
councils
on
future
phases.