West Yorkshire asks for input into Mass Transit vision
The consultation focuses on an early version of the Spatial Development Framework, which has been prepared by the region’s five local authorities to help coordinate land use, regeneration, and transport planning as the transport programme progresses.
The framework is intended to support the delivery of current and future phases of Mass Transit by encouraging new homes, employment space, and local services to be located around future stops and transport hubs, making them accessible on foot while supporting economic growth across the region.
It is designed to complement existing local plans by providing a coordinated approach to planning and development across local authority boundaries.
The latest consultation asks consultees, including developers and businesses, whether they believe the draft framework is effective and appropriately prepared.
The SDF aims to ensure transport investment is aligned with future housing, commercial development, and regeneration opportunities, with Mass Transit expected to support economic growth, improve connectivity, reduce congestion and cut carbon emissions.
The consultation does not seek views on proposed routes, route alignments or infrastructure such as depots and park-and-ride sites, focusing instead on the planning framework that will underpin future development around the network.
Mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin, who has made Mass Transit the central pillar of her tenancy, said: “It is so important we get these steps right, as it will demonstrate that all West Yorkshire councils are working together to deliver Mass Transit.
“What we need from the public, businesses, and developers is to understand if they feel the plans for our framework are sound and reliable.
“Mass Transit is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create a better-connected public transport network for West Yorkshire, so we need to ensure everyone is on that journey with us.”
The consultation comes as devolution plans, announced by Prime Minister Andy Burnham, will hand regional leaders greater control over investment in transport, housing, skills, and economic growth.
In West Yorkshire, the measures are expected to support Mayor Tracy Brabin’s plans for the proposed £2.5bn Leeds-Bradford mass transit network, with the government pledging to remove Whitehall barriers and speed up project approvals.
The consultation runs from Tuesday, August 4 – Sunday, September 27. It can be accessed using this link: https://www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/SDFReg19
