West Yorkshire Combined Authority has been running a consultation on their proposed Phase 1 Route Options for Mass Rapid Transit. Leeds Civic Trusts supports the development of a tram network across the region and have developed a response to the consultation.
First, we developed some principles about what we find important in a tram network including:
- Segregation where possible
- Minimising conflicts with/or making new arrangements for heavy traffic
- Creating new travel opportunities, particularly for areas currently disconnected/poorly served by public transport
- Serving a range of destinations that people want to go e.g. residential, leisure, seeing friends/family, transport interchanges, employment, shops, local services etc.
- Integration with other transport modes so that people have more transport options
- Safeguarding recent transport investments where possible
- Regeneration to support Leeds City Council aims of improving health and wellbeing, tackling climate change and delivering inclusive growth
- An opportunity for placemaking and improving the public realm
We used these principles to assess each route option along WYCA’s three proposed corridors and created our own amended Leeds Civic Trust route for each corridor, as displayed in the images:
CENTRAL LEEDS:
L1 (via East Parade & Infirmary St) or L3 (via Cookridge St & Park Row) are our preferred options. We feel these routes better serve crucial destinations and minimise impact on recent environmental improvements. We feel the tram needs to be carefully designed as part of the overall streetscape, as in Nottingham
SOUTH LEEDS:
We felt that each proposed option has its pros and cons, so we prepared a hybrid option which we call L6A – nearest to WYCA’s L6 (via Elland Road, Elland Rd Stadium & Old Lane) route. We feel that this addresses some areas where there are concerns with conflicts near Elland Road while delivering better service in other areas such as Holbeck and Cottingley. We feel it is important to serve the new White Rose Station as well as the shopping complex.
BRADFORD ROUTES:
B2 (via Laisterdyke & Armley) is our preferred option mainly because we feel it better connects new communities currently not well served by public transport.
Have your say!
The deadline for responding to WYCA’s consultation is Monday 30th September. Click here to submit your own response.
