West Yorkshire light rail needs £1bn commitment in spending review

Briefing MPs at Westminster, West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin (Labour) said the upcoming government spending review needs to include a £1bn commitment towards funding the planned tramway system linking Leeds and Bradford. The £2.5bn project will have to to start construction in 2028 to stay in line with the West Yorkshire integrated transit plan. The tramway network could unlock £11bn in investment and create thousands of jobs for the local population of 2.3 million. West Yorkshire is Europe’s largest metropolitan area without a mass transit system. 

 

Consultation has shown wide public support for the project, which in addition to linking Leeds and Bradford would include a line to the White Rose Centre in Leeds, and to St James’s Hospital. Preferred routes have yet to be determined, but a consortium of Mott MacDonald and Jacobs has been named as the design development partner for the project by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.