The Greenside Greenway group has welcomed Bradford Council’s support for the use of Greenside Tunnel and ‘Pudsey loop’ track bed for the proposed new tram system.
As reported by WLD, Bradford Council chiefs council chiefs believe the long-closed railway line between Bradford and Pudsey should be brought back into use as a state-of-the-art tram route as part of West Yorkshire’s mass transit network.
In a consultation over the proposed Bradford to Leeds tram line, Bradford Council says it would prefer a route option that would include stops in Holme Wood, Bowling Back Lane and Wakefield Road.
There are three potential routes for the line, including:
- via Stanningley and Armley
- via Laisterdyke, Pudsey and Wortley
- or via Laisterdyke, Pudsey and Armley.
“Option B3” would re-use the historic Pudsey Rail route – including possibly reopening the Greenside Tunnel on part of what was known as the ‘Pudsey Loop.’
The latter two options would see sections of the redundant Pudsey railway line, which was a victim of the Beeching cuts of the 1960s, brought back into use by the new tram system.
A statement issued on social media by the Greenside Greenway group said: “While our aims as a charity have evolved over time, we originally formed to preserve the heritage asset of the Greenside Tunnel and have successfully campaigned to stop the full and permanent infill of the tunnel.
“After the group formed, we quickly coalesced around the idea of a greenway as at the time, this was the lowest cost option of bringing the tunnel back into use and preventing further negative development.
“However, despite several years of campaigning, including raising the money to fund a feasibility study, it became apparent that realistically, investment for a greenway on this route would be incredibly hard to source. The most likely way of returning the tunnel to use was as part of a major infrastructure project, hence our support for the mass transit route.”
The statement said support from the group was not unconditional, highlighting three areas of concern:
- It is essential that a walking and cycling route is provided alongside the tramway, even in the tunnel.
- It is essential that a route utilising the tunnel does not lead to overdevelopment of the Tong Valley and Black Carr Woods.
- It is essential that those potentially displaced and impacted by the route are both compensated and listened to regarding their concerns.
The consultation closed at the end of last month. West Yorkshire Combined Authority will make a decision on which route to choose after all consultation responses have been studied.
As reported by WLD in July, the move has been broadly welcomed by volunteers from Pudsey’s Greenside Greenway group. But it could lead to the loss of green space near Pudsey Grammar School and St Joseph’s Catholic School.
WLD reported last month that Leeds City Council is backing the first phase of West Yorkshire’s mass transit scheme. But the local authority has called for more clarity on the route through West Leeds and for ‘further conversations on the design development’.
A Leeds Council report wanted to ensure that ‘centres like Pudsey gain maximum benefit from the provision of an enhanced transport link’ and supports improved connections between the city centre, Pudsey and Bradford.
Over development of the Black Carr Woods and Tong Valley areas would be almost certain to happen if this route was adopted. The Government’s plans to massively build housing and stated intentions for this tram route make it clear that these precious areas would be under threat.
People need houses more than grass.
We struggle as a country to keep our roads in shape. Does anybody think the local or central government have the brains or cash to bring such tunnels back into the transport infrastructure. It’s never going to happen!