Public support for the West Yorkshire Mass Transit Tram Network continues growing with new consultations. Residents and businesses endorse the project, highlighting its importance for regional connectivity. This was reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

Public support for the West Yorkshire Mass Transit Tram Network continues growing with new consultations. Residents and businesses endorse the project, highlighting its importance for regional connectivity
An artist’s impression
© West Yorkshire Combined Authority

West Yorkshire Mass Transit Tram Network: Public Opinion and Key Findings

Residents and business leaders strongly support the proposed tram system for Leeds and Bradford connections. Consultation results indicate more than two-thirds favor the first phase of development, emphasizing improved accessibility.

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Authorities will use feedback to determine the final scheme selection planned for late 2025 decisions. Detailed consultations on the chosen tram route will follow early in 2026 for refinements.

Mayor Tracy Brabin emphasized the public’s demand, calling for immediate action on transit expansion. She described the initiative as transformative, boosting economic growth and improving daily commutes.

Economic and Environmental Impact of the West Yorkshire Mass Transit Tram Network

Phase One route consultation occurred throughout summer and autumn, engaging thousands of participants effectively. The majority endorsed a tram line linking Bradford and Leeds, emphasizing enhanced transport infrastructure needs.

Over seventy-five percent backed a connection between St James’s Hospital and the White Rose centre. Residents prioritized reducing traffic congestion, enhancing residential area links, and ensuring efficient commuting services across cities.

Business leaders and educators strongly support the initiative, citing benefits for economic and environmental sustainability. The University of Bradford and major retail centers have endorsed the transit proposal for future growth.

Vice-Chancellor Shirley Congdon highlighted the tram system’s reliability and its role in economic revitalization. She stressed its significance for students, workers, and businesses, particularly in reducing traffic emissions citywide.

Chancellor Rachel Reeves recently confirmed national government commitment to supporting the ambitious tram project. Early findings highlight strong regional backing for transport corridors, pending further route development decisions.

Leeds’s favored L1 route would pass key landmarks, including Millennium Square, Leeds Beckett University, and Infirmary Street. The L2 alternative proposes a similar path but incorporates East Parade and Park Row sections.

South Leeds’s L6 route received significant support, running through Holbeck, Elland Road, and Beeston Ring Road. Another proposal, L7, suggests an alternative course through Gelderd Road, Lowfield Road, and Old Lane.

Bradford’s route preference remains divided across three main proposals featuring connections through Laisterdyke and Wortley. The B1, B2, and B3 options offer different pathways, each addressing distinct transit needs effectively.

Authorities will assess environmental impact reports and feasibility studies before finalizing tram network expansion plans. A selected scheme will undergo additional consultation rounds in 2026 for public engagement improvements.

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