New tram plan for Bradford - have your say on planned routes

The first stage of the multi-billion pound West Yorkshire Mass Transit system will include a line that begins in Bradford – likely at Forster Square Station.

The route will link the city’s existing rail stations, as well as a new station planned for the city’s 'Southern Gateway' before heading East to Leeds city centre – stopping at multiple locations on the way. 

On Monday morning, West Yorkshire Combined Authority officially launched a consultation asking the public to have their say on three possible routes for the Bradford line.

A map showing the three possible routes (Image: WYCA)

A consultation on the Leeds Line, which runs from the North of Leeds city centre to the White Rose Centre has also begun.

Although the options for the Bradford line do not include exact details of which routes or roads the tramway would be introduced, one option would see trams travel out of the city centre and head Eastwards roughly along the same route as Leeds Road.

This route would pass close to Laisterdyke and Thornbury before heading through Stanningley, Bramley and Armley before arriving in Leeds city centre.

The second possible route would go further South East before heading East close to Bowling Back Lane. This route would also come close to Laisterdyke before stretching to Pudsey, then moving North East towards Bramley – then following the same route into Leeds as the first option.

The third option runs the same route as the second until it gets near Bramley – where it would travel South East to pass Armley and Wortley before arriving in the city centre.

At Monday’s consultation launch West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin called the transport system a “game changer” and said she hoped spades would be in the ground by 2028.

Although the mass transit plans have been in the works for several years – yesterday’s launch was the first time it had been officially confirmed that it would be made up of a new tram system.

Ms Brabin said: “This is a huge chance to improve people’s lives and drive forward economic growth, as well as putting more money into people’s pockets.

“This is only the first step of a wider network. We’ve chosen a tram network because trams are able to carry four times the number of passengers as a typical bus. They are also segregated from regular traffic, meaning people will spend less time in jams – they are quicker and more reliable.

“Plans for the new Southern Gateway and new train station in Bradford will play a key part in Bradford’s mass transit system, and the define the city’s future as a transport hub.”

Addressing a crowd of local politicians, heads of West Yorkshire businesses and organisations and the press, Ms Brabin said: “I know some of you will be cynical and think we’ve been here before with Leeds trams, why is it different this time? The difference this time is its not just about Leeds, it is about West Yorkshire and connecting the whole region.”

Bradford Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe, Tracy Brabin and Leeds Council Leader James Lewis (Image: WYCA)

She said there were also plans for a Dewsbury line, but that would follow at a later stage.

She added: “I’ve said there would be spades in the ground by 2028, and I’m determined to hit that target.”

She said that as well as being a huge boost for commuters, the line would help open areas for new housing and support business and leisure – pointing out it will make it easier for people in Leeds to pop to Bradford for a concert.

She added: “I want us to have a transport network like London, if there is a problem on one part of the network you have other choices to get around the region.”

Simon Warburton, Executive Director of Transport at the Authority, said the Bradford line would boost the planned Southern Gateway regeneration scheme in Bradford as well as providing a long requested link between the city centre’s two rail stations.

Bradford Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe said the scheme would be “transformational” for Bradford, improving access to health facilities, leisure, housing, culture and business.

She said: “45,000 people commute between Bradford and Leeds each day – 74 per cent of those people travel by car. The line will complement the rail link between the two cities and connect suburban areas like Laisterdyke and Thornbury.”

Speaking to the press after the launch, Ms Brabin said whilst improving train journey times between Bradford and Leeds was important, this mass transit link would have multiple stops, and would be vital in connecting communities rather than just two city centres.

An artist's impression showing how mass transit could look (Image: WYCA)

She said: “You shouldn’t have to travel into a city centre just to travel back out again to get to where you want to go.”

She said the Government had pledged £200m to the work, and that the two initial lines – the Bradford line and the Leeds Centre line, would cost around £2.5 billion. The Authority was looking at different ways beyond Government funding to pay for the scheme.

She said the project would make the area “the home of engineering” for at least a decade, creating jobs, apprenticeships and attracting more professionals to the area.

The Telegraph & Argus asked Ms Brabin what she would say to Bradford residents who are being asked for their say on a new tram system while the city is still without a bus station due to the closure of Bradford Interchange.

A decision on the future of the station is not expected until September.

Ms Brabin said: “I understand frustrations and thank the people of Bradford for their patience.”

Tracy Brabin at the consultation launch (Image: WYCA)

She said the closure of the station had combined with work to improve the city centre – creating more disruption for passengers. She said work was underway to improve the entrance to Bradford Interchange rail station, as well as creating a temporary bus station for Bradford’s City of Culture year.

She added: “This (mass transit plan) is long term investment in the regeneration of Bradford. These are decisions that will help the children and young people of Bradford for years to come.”

People have until September 30 to comment on the proposed routes.

To have your say visit Mass Transit Hub | Your Voice (westyorks-ca.gov.uk)