'Great clubs deserve great connections': Leeds United director voices support for mass transit plans — YEP 3/3/26

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By Alex Grant

A leading board member at Leeds United has thrown the club’s support behind West Yorkshire’s Mass Transit plans.

Peter Lowy, Principal of Lowy Family Group and Director of Leeds United FC, joined other businesses, investors and political leaders in reaffirming their support for a mass transit system following a visit by Rail Minister Lord Peter Hendy.

It follows commitments from Chancellor Rachel Reeves to continue investing in the scheme beyond 2032 – in addition to funding to transform rail services in the region as part of Northern Powerhouse Rail.

Leeds United is the latest high-profile organisation to throw its weight behind mass transit, alongside the National Wealth Fund and leading developer Muse.

"I’m delighted that the Mayor and Secretary of State have reaffirmed their commitment to Mass Transit and we are here to support this important project. Mass Transit is vital to unlock the full potential of south Leeds and truly connect the city,” Peter Lowy said.

“It’s time for Mass Transit to roll into Elland Road and carry the city forward — because great clubs deserve great connections, and Leeds should move with the same pride and power as the roar inside this stadium.”

West Yorkshire Combined Authority is now focused on submitting the Strategic Outline Case later this year, a crucial stage that will define why mass transit is essential.

A consultation involving all five local authorities on how the system would best support economic growth and development across the region is also ongoing.

Plans for the highly-anticipated scheme were delayed by several years to the late 2030s in December after a review of the project, conducted by Nista, the Government’s new arm’s length infrastructure advisory unit, demanded an initial business case submission for the scheme before further planning work could go ahead.

Mayor Tracy Brabin added: We in West Yorkshire are united in our ambition to finally bring a Mass Transit system to our region. We have the backing we need and remain absolutely resolute on our mission to deliver. Working in lockstep with the Government and our partners, we will see spades in the ground by 2028.

“As part of our Weaver Network, Mass Transit will create a better-connected West Yorkshire and unlock economic growth in our regional and national economy for generations to come.”

Leeds is the largest city in Europe without a light rail or mass transit network after its original tram network was axed in 1959. Plans to restore them were first proposed in 1991 - more than three decades after the city's original tramway was scrapped.

Phase one of the project would see two lines, one connecting Leeds city centre to Bradford city centre and another one from St James's Hospital in Leeds to the White Rose Centre.

Leeds United’s support for mass transit comes just weeks after a planning application to expand the capacity of Elland Road to around 53,000 was approved by Leeds City Council.

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