AMBITIOUS targets to dramatically cut the use of cars in West Yorkshire could be described as either “heroic” or “potty” by one Councillor.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority has set a target of being “net zero” for carbon production by 2038.

As part of that scheme the Authority has set some eye catching targets, including reducing car journeys by 21 per cent, increasing walking by 78 per cent and increasing cycling by a huge 2,000 per cent.

It also plans for the sale of petrol and diesel cars to end by 2030, or 2035 at the latest.

The plans were discussed at a virtual meeting of the Authority’s Transport Committee on Friday morning where members debated how realistic the targets were.

‘Increase cycling by 2,000 per cent to tackle climate emergency'

The Authority is made up of Bradford, Leeds, Wakefield, Calderdale and Kirklees Councils, and is responsible for major transport and infrastructure projects.

The targets were set in response to the Authority declaring a climate emergency, and vowing to do much more to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.

Referring to those plans, Leeds Councillor Neil Buckley (Cons, Alwoodley) said: “Some of the assumptions about private cars and petrol and diesel ending by 2035 are, you could say they are heroic, or you could say they are potty.”

He questioned another proposal - to reduce emissions from air travel, at a time when the region’s local airport had ambitions of expansion.

Councillor Kim Groves, Chair of the Committee, said: “They are heroic targets to get more cars off the road, but we should all be determined to find a way to achieve that. They are huge targets, but it is crucial we get this right.”

Referring to Cllr Buckley’s scepticism, Councillor Peter Carlill (Lab, Calverley and Farsley) said: “This plan is what needs to happen. You’re saying there are two realities, what is actually in front of us, and the targets we’ve set out.

“If you just go by what is on the ground at the moment, it probably isn’t possible. But rather than changing our targets, shouldn’t be having conversations about whether what is happening on the ground needs to change?”

Councillor Colin Campbell (Lib Dem, Otley and Yeadon) said: “It is always easy not to do something. We are at a stage where we can’t do that any more.

“We should have done these things in the past but we always found a reason for not doing it.

“We can wring a hands and say ‘people won’t accept this’ but I think we’ve gone beyond that stage. We have to be ambitious, and dictatorial in some ways.”

The meeting heard that as part of the Authority’s pledge to reduce carbon emissions, all transport projects would have to include details of how they would improve the environment.

An green audit of dozens of previously approved projects would also take place.