Long-term rail strategy to help improve region’s transport

12 March 2024

West Yorkshire leaders are calling on the Government for more investment in the region’s transport network as they set out their long-term vision for rail.

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority will be asked to approve a rail strategy – which sets out the priorities and next steps for the rail network in West Yorkshire until 2050 – at a meeting this week.

This builds on the commitment made for a new station in Bradford and comes after the Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, and Leeds City Council leader, Cllr James Lewis, wrote to the Prime Minister urging him to continue to safeguard land around Leeds Station.

Land to the south could provide space for expansion of the station – which would help unlock improvements called for in the Combined Authority’s rail strategy.

Crucially the strategy sets out a future network for West Yorkshire as a sequenced plan for additional capacity, better reliability, and improved frequencies.

It sets out the case for the infrastructure and long-term investment needed for the future. This includes a new through station in Bradford and the extension to the south of Leeds station to deliver Northern Powerhouse Rail in full. In addition to electrifying the Calder Valley line, delivering a half-hourly service between Huddersfield and Barnsley, and improving connectivity between West and South Yorkshire and the East and West Midlands.

Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin, said:

"People in the North deserve a fully integrated transport system that is fit for the 21^st century – to help boost our economy, become net-zero carbon by 2038 and build a better-connected region.

"But to truly deliver on our ambitions, we need proper investment from government in our railways to create a reliable, cheaper and easier to use network.

"I am looking forward to working with the Government and partners to deliver on the priorities set out in our rail strategy."

The Combined Authority has identified four key areas to work on:

• Delivering capacity for growth and improved reliability
• Improving station facilities and train services
• Electrification of the lines for decarbonisation and improved efficiency
• Increasing capacity for freight

Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, said:

"Improving capacity and connectivity on our rail network is vital to support regeneration and growth. Easier, cheaper travel improves access to education, jobs, and cultural experiences. 

"Low carbon transport is an absolute must for improving air quality and supporting cleaner, greener growth. Focusing on electrification will help deliver in both of these areas. 

"With an additional platform at Forster Square already agreed, I'm looking forward to working with government to develop more detail on the proposed new station for Bradford's southern gateway through the rail strategy."

Should the rail strategy be approved, it will serve as a reference for local partners and industry stakeholders to use to make the case for investment in the region’s rail network, as and when funding opportunities become available.

More information can be found at: WYCA - Modern Gov.