Bradford Council has submitted its response to the West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s proposals on the first phase of Mass Transit in West Yorkshire.
The Combined Authority has been consulting on the first phase of its Mass Transit scheme, which would see two tram routes created: a Bradford Line connecting people between Bradford and Leeds city centres and a Leeds Line, entirely within the Leeds district, connecting people between St James’ Hospital and the White Rose Office Park and Shopping Centre.
Bradford Council’s response to the consultation gives option B3 as the Council’s preference, with other options considered viable but less preferred. A decision on the route to be developed will be made by West Yorkshire Combined Authority when the consultation concludes.
The preferred route proposals use a disused railway corridor to the north of Holme Wood, a route through the Parry Lane Enterprise Zone and along Bowling Back Lane to Wakefield Road. It would then approach the city centre via Bridge Street and Market Street before stopping at Forster Square Station.
The main positives to this route are that it directly serves the Southern Gateway area, which has been identified as a key regeneration area with potential for significant housing growth. It would also serve more of the city centre area with potential for stops at City Park and Bradford Interchange. It could also be adapted to take in the proposed new through station in the Southern Gateway area.
The preferred proposed route will also serve Holme Wood, giving this area better links to Bradford and Leeds city centres. The route also allows for better separation of Mass Transit from other traffic, leading to better journey times and less congestion.
The council’s response to the consultation emphasises that to increase overall use of public transport Mass Transit must supplement rather than replace rail or buses. The response also says that any Mass Transit system should be planned to function as part of the overall wider public transport network and how it works for both transport within the city and also in connecting urban communities considered.
Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, Bradford Council’s Executive Member for Regeneration, Planning and transport, said: “Connecting Bradford and Leeds with Mass Transit is such a huge opportunity to grow our economy and better connect our communities, not just across the district but the whole region.
“We’re working with the Combined Authority ensure the proposed Mass Transit system contributes to significant growth and regeneration in central Bradford and the Southern Gateway and that the designs take into account all the work currently being done to make our city centre more pedestrian friendly.
“Alongside the government commitment for a £2bn new Bradford rail station we now have a rare opportunity to develop a truly integrated transport hub, working across different modes of transport, with active and public transport as an attractive option for residents and visitors.
“The project should also recognise the potential for easing the housing pressure between Bradford and Leeds. Having this Mass Transit scheme in Bradford aligns perfectly to the governments mission to kickstart economic growth and will help people have better access to jobs and opportunities, education and health as well as hospitality and leisure destinations.”
