Priority Four: An integrated transport network

West Yorkshire’s transport network will be revolutionised. The Local Growth Plan will ensure that people and businesses across the region can maximise the advantages of better connectivity.

Transport is an essential part of daily life. How we travel impacts health, the environment, the economy and social lives. Freight transport keeps the economy moving, delivering materials for construction and manufacturing, ensuring supermarket shelves are stocked and hospitals have medical supplies.

An integrated transport network is integral to plans for growth. Cities and large towns offer a range of employment opportunities and a wide pool of skilled people. However, too many people and communities struggle to access the opportunities that will lift them out of poverty and deprivation. An integrated transport network requires a transformational programme of transport infrastructure. This, aligned with new devolved powers, will enable growth.

Plans for transport will be underpinned by a new Mayor’s West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan. Planned to be in place by March 2026, this will set the policy framework that enables delivery. It will bring together a range of evidence that builds on West Yorkshire’s sectoral strengths and align to the priorities set out in the Local Growth Plan. This will deliver a reliable, resilient and zero emission transport offer for West Yorkshire.

The Local Transport Plan is built on six network principles that embed integrated transport in delivery, with inclusive, active and affordable transport at its heart:

  • Safe: Reducing crime and ensuring that people feel safe when travelling. Zero fatalities on the West Yorkshire road network
  • Inclusive and affordable: A welcoming network that provides everyone with equal access to opportunities, removes disadvantage and has affordable fares and tickets
  • Zero emission: Cleaner, green options for travel through electrification and alternative fuels
  • Reliable and resilient: A well-maintained network that is in good condition, punctual, provides a wide range of choices and can withstand extreme weather
  • Active: Everyone can access opportunities for walking, cycling and wheeling to help them live healthier lives
  • Integrated: Joined-up ways to travel, services, timetables, tickets, fares and information

A Mass Transit system is central to realising the Combined Authority’s ambitions to grow the West Yorkshire economy. Inclusive growth will not be achieved at sufficient pace if people cannot easily reach education and training, childcare, jobs and culture.

Mass Transit will link communities across the region with a frequent, reliable service. It will be integrated with cycling, walking, bus and rail. It will boost productivity, enable inclusive growth and help tackle the climate emergency. A new tram network will begin with two lines: the Bradford Line and the Leeds Line, in the two most populated areas in the region. This will form the spine on which to grow the future network.

Mass Transit will attract inward investment and enable business growth. As part of an integrated transport network, it will provide fast, reliable and attractive public transport links between where people live and where there are jobs. For employers, it will expand the labour market and help get the right person into the right job while making businesses more accessible to customers.
Mass Transit will also offer huge skills development, career and supply chain opportunities, boosting growth for local businesses.

Mass Transit lines

The Bradford Line will connect people between Bradford city centre stations and Leeds city centre station. The line will complement the parallel fast city-to-city electrified rail service. This line will connect with Bradford's plans to regenerate the southern gateway, including a new train station.

The Leeds Line will take people between St James Hospital through Leeds city centre, connecting to the Arena, Elland Road and on to the White Rose Shopping Centre. This line links the regional centre with key housing growth and regeneration areas to the south, aligned with Leeds Transformational Regeneration Programme. From there, work has commenced with Kirklees to bring forward a further case for connectivity to major housing growth areas towards Dewsbury.

A map of the proposed West Yorkshire mass transit line. Highlighting the phase one lines from Leeds to White Rose, and Leeds to Bradford. With later mass transit phases branching out to Wakefield, Huddersfield, Halifax and neighbouring towns.

Skills for Mass Transit

A modern Mass Transit network needs a skilled labour workforce to build and operate it. This is essential to boost productivity, increase social mobility and enable inclusive growth. These jobs are in high demand, while the skills are in short supply – this creates a unique opportunity. As many people as possible from all walks of life across West Yorkshire must benefit from this opportunity. SMEs and other local businesses will be supported to ensure they have the skills and expertise required to participate in the supply chain.

Alongside the Local Growth Plan, a Mass Transit and Rail Growth Prospectus and a corresponding Spatial Development Framework is being produced. These documents will set the foundations to maximise sustainable economic growth transformation along the routes.

The Local Growth Plan will deliver

  • A new Mayor’s West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan to set the policy framework for local transport
  • Mass Transit and Rail Growth Prospectus and Spatial Development Framework
  • Mass Transit phase one construction
  • A fully franchised and operational bus network
  • Leeds station programme of improvements
  • Confirmation of investment on Bradford through station
  • Confirmation of investment for Penistone Line
  • Completion of the TransPennine Route Upgrade

Delivery indicators

  • Develop the Mayor's West Yorkshire Transport Plan to set the policy framework for local transport
  • Prospectuses for Mass Transit and Rail Growth and a Spatial Development Framework
  • Mass Transit - Phase one construction
  • A fully franchised and operational bus network
  • Leeds Station programme of improvements
  • Confirmation of investment on Bradford through station
  • Confirmation of investment for Penistone line
  • Completion of the TransPennine Route Upgrade

View more priorities

  1. Priority Three: A region of learning and creativity

    Everyone in West Yorkshire will be able to gain technical and soft skills throughout their lives. The Combined Authority will work with businesses to build a pipeline of talent with the crucial skills needed to boost growth.

    Read more about Priority Three: A region of learning and creativity
  2. Priority Five: Support thriving places

    To create growth, West Yorkshire must have good housing in places people want to live, connected to where they work. Over the next 10 years, the region will strengthen its urban centres and make its rural areas more resilient and connected.

    Read more about Priority Five: Support thriving places