REPRESENTATIVES of five different Council's have agreed to spend £2 million to help draw up plans for a new West Yorkshire mass transit system.

The proposals, which will include a line linking Dewsbury, Bradford and Leeds, have been in the pipeline for several year.

At a meeting of West Yorkshire Combined Authority on Wednesday, members agreed to provide funding of £2m to develop more detailed plans for the scheme, including exact routes and possible stops/stations.

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

A report that went to the committee said: "Whilst the cost of implementing mass transit can be high, the scale of benefits which it delivers are also high. Other cities in the UK and beyond are demonstrating mass transit does offer high value for money and can also open up new funding opportunities.”

At the meeting members were told that the business case would allow the Combined Authority to make a case to Government for funding for the scheme.

Leeds Councillor Kim Groves said: "I can't stress enough how important this work is. It is important this is accelerated to we can have a business case that will allow us to access the funding we need for it.

"This scheme will maximise economic growth, maximise inclusive growth and maximise the use of green technology."

A West Yorkshire Devolution Deal announced in March included a commitment to “explore the case for funding a modern, low carbon West Yorkshire Mass Transit System”.

The section of the proposals most likely to impact Bradford residents is a route 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, an undisclosed area of “South Bradford” and Laisterdyke.

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