Kirklees is ‘open for business’ a senior cllr has said, as mass transit plans are set to take a step forward this week.
Last month, around £800m was confirmed to make a tram system a reality for West Yorkshire. The first two tram lines will go from St James’s University Hospital through the city centre to the White Rose, with a Bradford Line connecting Bradford and Leeds city centres. In the later phases of the scheme, a Dewsbury line is planned.
On Tuesday (8 July), plans to form a new regional partnership that will shape how mass transit is planned and delivered, will go before Kirklees Council’s Cabinet. Kirklees will work with neighbouring authorities and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to prepare a joint Spatial Development Framework – a piece of planning work that will provide the strategic blueprint to support a future West Yorkshire tram network.
Initially, the network will run between Leeds and Bradford before being extended to North Kirklees in later phases. Although the early phases of the project are focused on routes between Leeds, Bradford and South Leeds, Kirklees Council says that the borough’s inclusion early in the process will ensure investment and that the district’s voice is at the table from day one.
Cllr Graham Turner, Cabinet Member for Growth and Regeneration, said: “This is a real opportunity to reverse decades of underinvestment in transport infrastructure and shape a new era for how people live, work and travel across our region.
“By forming this partnership, we’re sending a clear message that Kirklees is open for business and investment. We want to be part of a connected, thriving West Yorkshire that’s prepared for the future.”
The proposed joint framework will guide decisions that align with the future transit system. The council says the move will promote sustainable development and regeneration and support inclusive economic growth across the region, while helping to deliver transport connections for both residents and businesses.
Cllr Moses Crook, Cabinet Member for Transport and Climate, added: “Mass transit is about more than just trains or trams — it’s about opportunity. It’s about making it easier for people to access work, education and services, and it’s about supporting a greener, fairer future.
“We’re still in the early stages, and getting this right means laying strong foundations through careful planning. But this is a game-changing project, and one that will benefit generations of Kirklees residents.”
