£2bn Leeds to Bradford tram plan unveiled

The project will be subject to a full business case and approvals processPlans for a tram system running between Leeds and Bradford have been set out today by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin.The mayor said work on two lines, serving Leeds and Bradford, could begin in 2028 with Government backing.It is most significant step towards realising the city’s mass transit dream since the Trolleybus scheme was scrapped eight years ago.The submission of the Combined Authority’s “strategic outline case” document to the Department for Transport is set to be approved by members of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority on March 14.Phase one of the proposed mass transit would include two lines serving Leeds and Bradford.The Leeds Line would take people between St James’ Hospital, through Leeds city centre to Elland Road and then on to White Rose Shopping Centre.The Bradford Line would run from Leeds city centre to Bradford city centre – also linking Bradford Forster Square station with the new Bradford rail station.This line would support Bradford’s plans to regenerate the city’s southern gateway, which includes the new Bradford rail station.The West Yorkshire Combined Authority has said the network could be extended to include Dewsbury, Wakefield, Kirklees and Calderdale.Funding availability for a £2.5bn tram system was floated by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak after axing the northern leg of the HS2 project to Manchester.West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin said: “By setting out our plans to submit to government, we are taking a major step forward towards the biggest infrastructure project West Yorkshire has seen since the development of the motorways six decades ago.“This will be transformational for the North, helping our communities to thrive and our economy to flourish – benefitting generations to come with greater opportunity and prosperity.”The Combined Authority will continue to work with local authorities to ensure that future phases of a mass transit network reach Wakefield, Kirklees and Calderdale, ensuring no part of West Yorkshire is left behind.