UKREiiF puts spotlight on need for West Yorkshire mass transit network — Yorkshire Post 20/5/26
The economic potential of Yorkshire is evidently not being fulfilled. The scale of the prize was clear from the real estate investment and infrastructure forum UKREiiF, taking place in Leeds.
The Mayor of West Yorkshire announced plans for a Mayoral
Development Zone in Leeds that could accelerate 20,000 new homes for the city
and boost major infrastructure projects like the redevelopment of Elland Road
is a glimpse of what could be possible if vision is paired with political will.
The plans would see former industrial land being put to good
use with housing greatly needed in the region. This needs to be accompanied by
investment in transport infrastructure. Namely the need for a tram network
across West Yorkshire.
The importance of delivering the West Yorkshire mass transit
network was underscored by Leeds United director Peter Lowy.
Mr Lowy makes a convincing argument for the first phase of
the West Yorkshire mass transit project to run trams to Elland Road. He says
that it would “kick off” momentum for the wider scheme with millions of
journeys expected to be made by football fans should the vision be realised.
What is obvious is the need to avoid delay. Leeds has been
let down before. It is the largest city in Western Europe without a mass
transit system. Not only would it connect up regeneration projects but also
make the population more mobile. Allowing young people to see opportunities
across West Yorkshire.
While a lot of emphasis is on Leeds, arguably the
opportunities that a West Yorkshire mass transit network could provide the city
of Bradford are even greater. Not to mention the towns in between.
The message to Whitehall should be clear. Running buses
instead of a tram network will not suffice when it comes to realising the
region’s ambitions.
