Experts weigh in on new transport system between Bradford, Leeds and Kirklees

Plans for a new mass transit system linking the South of Bradford to the city centre and Leeds have been in the planning stages for much of the past year.

Last Summer West Yorkshire Combined Authority made an international call for experts to lend their expertise to the ambitious project. At a meeting next week, the Authority's Transport Committee will hear feedback from that call.

The scheme will include several lines, including one that links Dewsbury to the University area of Leeds, via Bradford city centre.

It would include stops in areas not currently linked to rail networks, including Heckmondwike, Cleckheaton, Junction 26 of the M62, "South Bradford" Laisterdyke, Armley and Holbeck.

It would also include stops at existing stations at Low Moor, Bradford Interchange and Bradford Forster Square, Pudsey and Bramley.

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A report to the committee details how the scheme may look and operate, and will look at different propulsion technologies and the possibility of the system being autonomously operated.

Around 120 organisations from around the world responded to the joint call.

The proposed map of a mass transit system in West Yorkshire

The questions for discussion included whether new Urban Transit systems should be designed for autonomous vehicle operation and the prospects of using hydrogen or battery power to deliver a zero-emission system. This would help meet the Combined Authority’s commitment to combating climate change.

However, some of the experts claimed the technology was still a few years off before some of the more ambitious plans come to fruition.

Battery technologies were suggested as likely to be the most viable option to power a system in the short to medium term. This would make it possible to develop a system without the requirement for overhead wires.

However, the feedback advises considering overhead wires as they represent effective and proven technology that can reduce carbon and cost.

The report adds: "Without a significant change in Government policy, Hydrogen is seen as a being an unlikely solution over the next decade although it is at the early stages of being utilised in mass transit and is readily available by-product of industry."

On autonomous vehicles, respondents suggest "while fully segregated driverless systems such as the Docklands Light Railway are in operation, where there is interaction with other traffic, drivers will be required for the next decade."

There were some suggestions that 5G technology would make it possible for mass transit vehicles to be controlled remotely from a control centre, but that safety challenges would need to be addressed. Autonomous cars are considered likely to make congestion worse.

All respondents acknowledged Mass Transit as an element of combating climate change but emphasised that segregation from other traffic is key to delivering the faster journey times and reliability required to persuade people out of their cars and reduce congestion. A combination of bus, light rail and heavy rail as part of an integrated transport strategy, was identified as the way all major cities with comparable populations are addressing climate change.

Cllr Kim Groves, Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “This market testing process, which has prompted responses from as far afield as Switzerland and Japan, has provided us with invaluable information on the very latest and emerging conclusions for mass transit systems, which we can use to further the development of our plans.

“If West Yorkshire and the Leeds City Region is going to achieve its full economic potential and we are, at the same time, going to achieve our ambitious environmental targets, it is vital that we can progress the development of a mass transit system as part of our integrated transport plans.

“Before the December election, Boris Johnson promised to 'remedy the scandal' that we have no mass transit system and it was highlighted as a key Conservative manifesto pledge. In addition, the Conservatives announced a £4.2 billion fund for mass transit in December, which referenced the Leeds City Region as a potential beneficiary and our Transforming Cities Fund submission included a £20 million ‘ask’ for mass transit development funding.

“It is vital the Government now gives us the backing and funding that enables us to take the valuable information contained in this market testing report and use to move forward with the development of the high-quality, state-of-the-art mass transit system we need and deserve.”

Next week’s Transport Committee meeting takes place at 11am on Friday March 13 at Wellington House, Leeds.