If you’re anything like me, you’d probably agree that getting around our region isn’t as easy as it should be.
Our Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin has lots of improvements planned for our existing bus, train, walking, cycling, and driving infrastructure.
But even so, we know that public transport is often still overcrowded, and roads are congested, especially during rush hour. Some modes of transport are not accessible enough, making them difficult to use for mums with prams, for example, or anyone with accessibility needs.
If we do nothing, these issues will only continue to worsen – we need to act now.
So, the Mayor and her team have developed exciting plans to bring trams to Leeds and Bradford – and we want you to have your say.
Last year, the Mayor appointed me as her Inclusivity Champion to help address inequality and ensure all voices are heard across West Yorkshire.
We at the West Yorkshire Combined Authority have spent the last couple of years developing the case for a new Mass Transit network, starting soon with two tram lines in Bradford and Leeds – the two most populated areas in our region for business, leisure and retail activity.
It’s the kind of thing you may have seen on holiday in many European cities, or even closer to home in London. Manchester and Birmingham also have their own tram systems.
And it will be fully integrated with the bus and rail network, making journeys seamless for everyone.
Mass Transit can help fix some of the issues our transport system faces.
We can increase our transport capacity as trams are able to carry approximately four times the number of passengers of a typical bus. Trams can also be segregated from traffic, spending less time sat in traffic jams, making them quicker and more reliable than other modes of transport.
And it’s about more than just speeding up journeys – it’s about connecting communities, reducing traffic and helping improve our environment.
The Mayor has committed to getting spades in the ground on the project by 2028.
But before then, we need to know what you think about it – by completing our survey, or by coming to speak to me or the team at one of our community events.
A number of route options for a Leeds Line and a Bradford Line, which will form a spine from which the future network will grow, have been developed.
Your feedback will help us identify benefits and issues, improve our proposals and help us decide which options we take forward.
This project would be the biggest transport investment our region has seen in decades.
Our aim is a Mass Transit system for people of all ages and abilities, that is affordable, accessible and easy to use, which will be safe and secure for everyone to use.
I want to see opportunities spread more equally across the region. Trams would help to regenerate parts of both Bradford and Leeds, and improve transport for up to 675,000 people within the top 20 per cent most deprived communities within West Yorkshire.
It’s vital that people from all of our diverse communities across the region have their say on our plans for a Mass Transit system.
We want the system to be representative of the people it will serve and we can only do that if you have your say.
Your voice is crucial in shaping a transport system that truly meets the needs of all our communities.
You have until Monday, 30 September to take part.
Have your say at: wymasstransit.com
