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Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves backs ‘golden opportunity’ to take over buses

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wellington house Leeds

Words: John Baron & Richard Beecham

Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves has today backed plans to buy some local bus services and take them back into some form of public ownership. 

The move comes after First Group PLC revealed earlier this year that it was looking to sell its bus operations in the UK as part of a company restructure. 

Ms Reeves said she supported West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s proposed purchase of FirstBus West Yorkshire and Arriva’s West Yorkshire operations, which she described as a “golden opportunity”.  She said:

Leeds West MP Rachel Reeves

“This is a golden opportunity for WYCA and the whole of West Yorkshire to take a step forward in the transition of our region’s bus services away from the unreliable and deregulated private system we have become used to, and towards a franchised bus system like that which has been so successful in London – wherein buses are run for people, not for profit. 

“It cannot be right that the capital enjoys regular and reliable bus services while great northern cities like Leeds must settle for second-class transport services.

“As importantly, the environmental impact of improved bus services – and the reduction in car usage which they engender – should be both welcomed and encouraged, especially as we work towards tackling the climate crisis. 

“I urge the WYCA to act now in order to take this action in order to improve our local bus services, which are so crucial to the lives of so many people in West Yorkshire.”

West Yorkshire council leaders last week confirmed that they will look into the possibility of “buying” some of the region’s for-sale bus services.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) – which looks after transport and large infrastructure projects – confirmed that this could include “purchasing” the services, suggesting they could be brought under some form of public ownership.

It follows news in May that First Group PLC was looking to sell its UK bus operations as part of a restructure of the company. First currently runs around 60 per cent of the region’s buses.

Leeds City Council leader Judith Blake (Lab) told the meeting:

“This presents us with options and opportunities. The main one being whether or not we want to consider our ability to engage in the process of the sale of First Bus and other First Bus operating companies that will be given to us, and whether we want to put together the possibility of us pursuing the option to buy the services that are available.

“We are recommending that we explore the option that the sale gives us, this includes, but is not limited to, participating in a sale of the operations that are up for sale.

“We are also mindful that this will be a complex process, and it will involve spending from the combined authority to assist us to come up with a series of options that will assist us to look at the opportunities, look at the benefit and look at how we can improve the experience of the travelling public.

“There will be an appetite from the public that this is an area of enormous interest.”

Leader of Wakefield Council Peter Box (Lab) said:

“I think we should invest because potentially the benefit to the travelling public is tremendous. There are far more people that use buses than trains to get to work so this is a great investment to make potentially.”

Leader of Kirklees Council Shabir Pandor (Lab) said:

“This to me is the right thing to do, but it has got to improve services.

“One of the things I keep hearing about public transport is ‘where does the accountability lie?’ and this has to be something to think about here.”

Bradford Council leader and chair of the committee Susan Hinchcliffe (Lab) said:

“This is all about us trying to understand what the options are.

“It’s important to tell people out there that today we are not making a decision about whether to buy it or not. This is a decision about the feasibility of looking at the options of purchasing.

“There will be further discussions later on about whether we take this forward.”

She later added: “We need to be making sure that when we look at this, it’s not a silver bullet – some local authority-owned companies in other parts of the country have spent a lot of money on bus lanes and making sure things are speeded up.

“We would need to do all those things at once – it’s not just about buying it and sitting back – there is a lot more investment that would need to go in.”

Leader of the Conservatives group on Kirklees Council David Hall said:

“We need to avoid deciding what we want before receiving the advice.

“£200,000 is a lot of money. We need to have a quick response on this.”

WYCA officer Dave Pearson said that First PLC was likely to start the sale process in early 2020.

The panel approved spending of up to £200,000 on “legal and consultancy support to assist with the development of options for future bus services in West Yorkshire.”

Bramley Challenge recognises local talent

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westleedslife
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BEA challenge 3
Photo: Mindy Goose

Bramley Elderly Action (BEA) held its annual Challenge at Bramley Community Centre, writes Mindy Goose.

The Challenge is open to anyone, from the mini-makers under 12s to the over 90s. The Challenge is a chance to show and share traditional skills and to celebrate local talent.

Cllr Caroline Gruen and Bramley’s Julie Botham. Photo: Mindy Goose

Barbara Dickson, 79, from Bramley, said the challenge started over a decade ago, after an idea she had from volunteering as the division commissioner for the Leeds West Division Guides. She said:

“The original idea started, as I had done it with guides, thinking it would give over 60’s something to do during the winter months. So it began in October to give them plenty of time to make [for the following year].”

The Challenge is now permanently at the beginning of October to coincide with Older Peoples Week, which this year was 30th September until 6th October.

Bramley and Stanningley ward councillor Caroline Gruen, who is on the board of trustees for BEA, handed out the prize certificates to winners, runners up and highly commended participants.

Winners and runners up galore at Bramley Community Centre. Photo: Mindy Goose

The other ward councillors, Kevin Ritchie and Julie Heselwood were also in attendance.

After judging had taken place, the doors to the community centre were thrown open to the general public, allowing them to see all the fantastic things that local people have created for the Challenge. A homemade lunch was on offer to purchase, with sandwiches, cake, and hot drinks. Many of the items were available to buy in an auction, to raise funds for BEA, which was held after the prize giving.

Get in touch with BEA to find out more about the challenge:

“How to get involved and how we can make next year bigger and better. We would love to hear from local groups who could join us and from anyone interested in helping plan the 2020 challenge.”

Contact BEA

Address: Bramley Community Centre, Waterloo Lane, Bramley, Leeds LS13 2JB

Telephone: 0113 236 1644

The office is staffed 9am-4pm, Monday-Friday, except bank holidays.

Last chance: Have your say before Bramley and Pudsey transport consultations close

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westleedslife
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bramley bus interchange
Photo: Google

Time is running out for you to have your say on proposals to enhance Bramley Bus Interchange and improve walking and cycling links in Pudsey, writes Keely Bannister.

West Yorkshire Combined Authority have been consulting on plans for the last few weeks – and now the deadline for commenting on the plans is approaching as the surveys close on Monday 14th October.

Designs for Bramley Bus Interchange, which The Dispatch previously reported on in detail, will see a new road constructed through the centre of the grass which currently separates Stocks Hill from Town Street. A bus stop will then be relocated from Stocks Hill on to the new road.

You can have your say on these proposals here.

new pudsey station
New Pudsey Station. Photo: Ian Kirk, used under Creative Commons licence

Plans for Pudsey, which The Dispatch previously reported, are designed to improve walking and cycling links between Pudsey Town Centre and New Pudsey Train Station through improving footpaths and creating an on-road cycle path as well as introducing new signage.

You can have your say on these proposals here.

Bramley: Clothing exchange will raise Samaritans cash

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The main hall at Bramley Community Centre. Photo by Mindy Goose

Instead of buying brand new clothes, swap something you don’t wear for something ‘new to you’ at a clothing exchange in Bramley.

West Leeds residents are invited to bring several items of clothing, shoes and accessories and – after paying a small entry fee to raise money for Samaritans – swap them for something new.

Organiser Vickie Jamieson, from Bramley, said:

“We are hoping to raise awareness of mental health issues, loneliness and the power of community.

“But we’re also hoping to encourage people to buy fewer items of new clothing, to swap items they’ve had but hardly worn, for the good of the environment and our wallets.”

The clothing exchange will be open at Bramley Community Centre from 11.30am on Saturday 26th October.

All clothing should be in good, clean condition with no marks, holes or damage. Clothes should be something you would be happy to pay money for at a charity shop.

There will be everything from vintage, designer, high street and basics to handmade delights, including ladies, gents, children and baby clothes, shoes, hats, bags, scarves, gloves.

bramley community centre
Activities: Bramley Community Centre.

Refreshments will be available on the day.

Rodley Town Street revamp to start – roadworks will last 10 weeks

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westleedslife
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rodley town street

Work on a £150,000 revamp to help breathe new life into Rodley Town Street will start tomorrow (Monday) – leading to 10 weeks of roadworks.

The Leeds City Council scheme aims to improve road safety, parking and access for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as improving the look of the area to support Rodley businesses.

Work includes a new zebra crossing, the widening of footpaths and the narrowing of Canal Road to help enforce the one-way system.

Works start from Monday for 10 weeks, with working hours restricted to 9.30am-3.30pm, Monday to Friday.

During these times there will be periods where Rodley Lane will be down to a single lane of traffic with traffic lights, and periods where the junction of Bagley Lane and Rodley Lane will be controlled by traffic lights.

While the roadworks will affect traffic through the junction, pedestrian access will be available at all times.

However there may be occasions where access to some properties by vehicle is restricted, and the council is asking residents not to park on the affected roads during the works.

A Leeds City Council spokesperson said:

“There should be no disruption at peak times.”

As reported by The Dispatch, Rodley is among 12 schemes across Leeds to win a slice of a £5 million pot of council cash to improve local town and village centres.

£76,000 has also been set aside for the ‘New Wortley Gateway’. Improvements include green space and public realm enhancements to the corner of Green Lane and Tong Road £76,000.

More details on the Rodley scheme are available here.

More details emerge as A647 Bus Priority Corridor edges closer to reality

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westleedslife
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More details of the A647 Bus Priority Corridor scheme have been revealed as plans to cut bus journey times and improve facilities for cyclists and pedestrians along the busy Bradford to Leeds route take a step forward, writes Keely Bannister.

Senior council transport officers have approved preliminary designs for the road which a report states will “provide estimated bus journey time savings of 10 minutes inbound in the morning peak, and nine minutes outbound in the afternoon peak, as well as improving bus reliability”.

Two-Plus Lane on Stanningley Road.

The proposed scheme includes:

  • New bus lanes, parking restrictions and new crossings to the section of the A647 between Bradford Border to Dawsons Corner;  
  • Traffic signal upgrades with buses given priority at junctions between Dawsons Corner and Bramley Town End Roundabout; 
  • The conversion of Stanningley Road’s High Occupancy Vehicle Lane (two-plus lane) into a bus lane, apart from a section between Cockshott Lane and Armley Ridge Road during peak periods to maintain existing on-street parking provision for residents, as as well as the extension of the bus lane linking up Bramley Town End roundabout; 
  • Cockshott Lane and Armley Ridge Road junction changes along Stanningley Road and the creation of a new crossing at Redcote Lane;  
  • Changes at the Ledgard Way/Armley Road (Mike Carpet’s) junction with a reduction in the movements allowed between 11am and 7pm, with changes to Pickering Street to help accommodate more traffic movements as a result; and  
  • A reduction of Branch Road to a single lane allowing widening of the footway and tree planting.

To implement these changes, a number of Traffic Regulation Orders (TROs) will be required. Senior council transport officers have agreed the TROs, which can be viewed in full here, and they will be implemented if no valid objections are made. 

Parts of the scheme have proved controversial, particularly the conversion of Stanningley Road’s High Occupancy Vehicle Lane into a bus lane.

Consultation on the change saw 50% of respondents giving negative feedback and Armley ward councillors have also expressed concerns over the impact on residents and congestion.

The council report responds to these concerns by highlights the positives to bus journeys: 

“Extensive modelling has been undertaken as part of the design process in order to fully understand the likely impacts of the scheme on bus journey times and congestion in the area. 

“The modelling results show that the proposals between Bramley Town End Roundabout and Armley Gyratory will reduce journey times for the dominant east-west movements during the peak periods. 

“Specifically, the model results predict average journey time savings for general traffic of 3.3 minutes for inbound journeys in the morning peak, and 6 minutes for outbound journeys in the afternoon peak. 

“This is in addition to average bus journey time savings of 6 minutes inbound in the morning peak, and 6 minutes outbound in the afternoon peak.”

The Bradford border to Dawson’s Corner changes have also proved somewhat unpopular with 42% of consultation respondents giving negative feedback and Calverley & Farsley councillors expressing residents parking concerns.

The report counters:

“In response, parking surveys were undertaken, with results being reported to local ward members.  The results of the surveys show that there is limited parking on Bradford Road, and that sufficient parking is available on adjacent side streets to accommodate vehicles displaced by the new bus lanes.  All of the frontages affected have off-street parking available.”

Construction of the A647 Bus Priority Corridor scheme is programmed to start in January 2020 and be completed by March 2021.

Detailed designs to give buses priority at the Armley Road, Canal Street and Gloucester Terrace junction have already been given the green light with plans to improve Armley Gyratory also progressing.

You can view all the details associated with this decision here.

Simon’s Snaps: Leeds Light Night 2019 in pictures

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westleedslife
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leeds light night
Photo: Simon Cullingworth

OK, so it may not technically be in West Leeds, but Dispatch photographer Simon Cullingworth is a Bramley lad (and his wife is West Leeds through and through!)

Here are some of Simon’s photos from the ever-popular Light Night, which drew thousands of people onto the city centre streets. They may not be from West Leeds, but on this occasion we couldn’t resist using them!

Mark’s History: A coat of arms, Armley Mills and links to an old courthouse …

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westleedslife
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Armley mills coat of arms
Photo: Mark Stevenson

These Coat of Arms can be found tucked away around the back at Armley Mills, writes Mark Stevenson.

It is possible they could date from 1813. Once part of the Court House on Park Row which was built in 1813 and closed in 1858 when the courts moved to the Town Hall. Was this when they were removed?

What use was made of the building for the next eight years is unclear but in 1864 the Post Office took over the building. The building was demolished in 1901. 

The mottos are in French, ‘Dieu et mon Droit’ (God and my Right) and ‘Honi soit qui mal y pense’ (Shame on him who thinks evil). 

Check out more West Leeds history in our regular Mark’s History column here.

Armley CIC hosts women’s only bike maintenance course

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westleedslife
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Armley-based The Bikes College CIC is hosting a free maintenance course for women on Monday 14th October from 8pm until 9pm, writes Keely Bannister. 

At the course – which will take place at The Bikes College’s Museum Store, Copley Hill – attendees will learn how to change a puncture on the roadside and lots of tips and tricks to keep your bike in tip-top shape.

The course is a joint initiative between Leeds Girls Can, a team of women who are here to empower and support females to take part in physical activity, HSBC UK Breeze, offering fun, free bike rides for women of all abilities and The Bikes College CIC, a non-profit social enterprise which restores unwanted bicycles.

The course is free to attend but places are limited so book today by emailing CarrineGreen@britishcycling.org.uk.  

West Leeds planning applications: 12 October 2019

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westleedslife
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Every week we bring you the latest planning applications from across West Leeds.

Armley ward

Bramley & Stanningley

Calverley & Farsley

Farnley & Wortley

Kirkstall

Pudsey

Graduation day for Bramley Elderly Action members

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westleedslife
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Bramley Elderly Action IDOP graduation
Photo; Mindy Goose

Bramley Elderly Action honoured International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) with a special graduation ceremony for their members in the Friendship and Social group, writes Mindy Goose.

As part of Age Friendly Leeds, this year they celebrated the value that older people give to their community, with the theme of making Leeds the best city to grow old in.

A BEA member graduates. Photo: Mindy Goose

The aim of IDOP in Leeds is to ensure that the City promotes and celebrates the values of:

  • a positive view of old age
  • older people being enabled to lead active healthy and involved lives as citizens of the city
  • full participation of older people in the decisions and processes which affect their lives
  • challenging the barriers faced by older people to independence, inclusion and equality
  • older people being treated with respect and dignity at all times

Debbie Fawthrop, team leader at BEA, said that in many conversations with their members she had discovered that many of them had not gone to university, nor indeed graduated, she thought, “it would be a lovely way to celebrate their contributions to daily life and have a day that was all about them.”

Graduation time. Photo: Mindy Goose

Before receiving their graduation certificate, activities assistant Joanne Hartley gave a speech to members. She said:

“[The aims of Leeds IDOP] we hope and believe are prevalent in the daily life around Bramley Elderly action.

“We see daily the massive impact older people have on our society in relation to the work we do, the activities we run and the very people we are there to help – you guys.

“Every day staff are taken back by the generosity, heartfelt concern and willingness of our members, volunteers and visitors and we will never tire of applauding your amazing contributions not only to BEA but to the community of Bramley and the city of Leeds.

“We are very proud to be a part of your lives and you should be proud of everything you have done, currently do or perhaps will do in the future to make Leeds the best city to grow old in.

“So to honour just a small proportion of the fantastic elders within our community we decided to put together this graduation as a way of saying thank you and well done to you all for making Leeds, Bramley And BEA the best places to grow old in.”

Speaking to a couple of the members at the ceremony, they told The Dispatch of some of their achievements and value that the friendship group gives to them.

Maggie Towler, from Bramley, said she didn’t see anybody:

“I was very insular and depressed. But since joining Bramley Elderly Action I have made friends and attend different groups.”

Maggie said she feels so much happier now.

Since retiring Pat Bradley, 79, was a member of the Towns Women’s Guild, which she was the treasurer and recently she joined the WI and became the president of the group, and helped to keep it going. She added:

“I met Brian [existing BEA member] just before I was 60, and we’ve been friends for a long time. I help out at the BEA, we run the dance on a Wednesday afternoon. I keep myself busy.”

The friendship and social group, which meet on the first Wednesdays of each month, celebrated in hats and gowns which were generously donated by Ede & Ravenscroft.

BEA received funding from Leeds Older People’s Forum to celebrate the day.

Contact BAE

Address: Bramley Community Centre, Waterloo Lane, Bramley, Leeds LS13 2JB

Telephone: 0113 236 1644

Times: The office is staffed 9am-4pm, Monday-Friday, except bank holidays.

Armley Trees campaign invites residents to share concerns

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westleedslife
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A campaign group opposing trees being cut down next to Armley Park Road are inviting residents to engage with them to ensure that there is a collective voice for the campaign, writes Keely Bannister.

In the latest post on their blog, the Armley Trees group wrote:

“We would like to link up with other residents living on or next to Armley Park Road, to make sure we have a collective voice, to make sure our concerns are heard by Network Rail and to ensure that we are meaningfully involved in what happens next.

“We are organising some opportunities for local residents to come together, before the public meeting with Network Rail takes place.”

Local residents are invited to join campaigners on the green space at the end of Armley Park Road at noon on Saturday 12th and Sunday 13th October.

As previously reported in The Dispatch, Network Rail said the tree felling programme was taking place as part of essential safety work.

The Armley Tree group are unhappy with the tree felling for environmental reasons and have also complained about poor and contradictory communication from Network Rail, who have apologised and said the communication ‘was not good enough’.

With help from the Woodland Trust, the group have managed to have constructive engagement with Network Rail, which has led to the mid-week work which was taking place at street level being temporarily halted until an independent review by The Tree Council has taken place.

Campaigners are planning to organise a public meeting after the review has concluded.

People who cannot attend on either the 12th or 13th but who wish to know more/be involved are asked to email Fiona using armleytrees@gmail.com. 

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