By John Baron
Services on the proposed mass transit system in West Yorkshire will be delayed until the late 2030s, transport chiefs have revealed.
The move has already been branded a ‘disaster’ by a senior opposition councillor – but West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin has reaffirmed her pledge to ‘get spades in the ground’ in 2028.
One line is proposed to run through West Leeds to connect Leeds with Bradford. Another routs would run past Elland Road to the White Rose Centre.
West Yorkshire Combined Authority says work has included undertaking an independent review, which is part of the usual process for projects of this size and scale.
A spokesperson said: “As a result, a robust, sequential timeline has been developed, which aims to reduce risks and ensure that the project is put firmly on the path for successful delivery.”
The revised plan has been welcomed by West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin and Transport Minister Lord Peter Hendy, despite the changes meaning services will now start running later than planned, from the mid-2030s to the late 2030s.
In an exchange of letters published today, Lord Hendy committed the Government’s backing for West Yorkshire Mass Transit and pledged to look into ways to accelerate the programme in the coming years. The Minister and Mayor both shared their frustration that major projects like this take too long to develop and build in the UK.
Ms Brabin wrote: “I believe it takes too long to deliver infrastructure in this country. If we are to be the builders and not the blockers, we must look at how we can make quicker decisions and speed up processes. Other countries manage to do this faster than us. It cannot be right that it could take 18 years from the beginning of the project to the end.”
In a statement released today, Ms Brabin said: “We are clear that mass transit will have a transformational impact on the region and the UK’s economy and I welcome the Government’s commitment to ensuring the best possible outcome for the people of West Yorkshire.
“While the new timeline helps offer certainty for the scheme, I am also pleased that ministers have committed to working with us to cut red tape and put tracks on the ground as quickly as possible.”
Rail minister Lord Hendy added: “Mass transit has the power to transform West Yorkshire – boosting connectivity and unlocking economic growth across the region. That’s why I’m delighted to reaffirm that the government fully supports the mayor’s ambition’s to deliver this hugely important scheme.
“We are pleased that WYCA are taking a robust approach to planning the schedule for the scheme, based on the tried and tested approach for delivering major infrastructure.”
Leeds is the largest city in western Europe without a mass transit network, and local leaders have long pushed for one to be built to help drive economic growth and connectivity for the region.
Delayed route decision
A decision on the preferred route of the system through West Leeds has also been delayed – despite an announcement being due in October.
As a result the final public consultation on the route has also been pushed back. An official confirmation that it would be a tram network is also still awaited.
The Combined Authority has confirmed it will submit its Strategic Outline Case to Government in 2026.
Councillor: Delay a ‘disaster for Leeds’
Cllr Alan Lamb, WYCA member and leader of the Conservative Group on Leeds City Council, is concerned delays will increase costs, and that the uncertainty generated will deter businesses from investing in the city and region.
He also feels there are stark similarities to the city’s ill-fated Supertram project, cancelled in November 2005 by central government over spiralling costs.
Cllr Lamb said: “If this was Manchester, the mayor there wouldn’t be trying to make this sound positive, because it isn’t. This is a disaster for Leeds and West Yorkshire as a whole.
“Whatever is said, I don’t see there being shovels in the ground during this decade, and no passengers on any trams until the late 2030s.
“Almost 20 years ago to the day, I remember Alistair Darling pulling the plug on Supertram. This feels very much like déjà vu. Twenty years on, we still have no tram in
Leeds, and no plan for one for another decade at the very least.
“Mass transit was one of the Mayor’s pledges, one which has remained spectacularly
undelivered, leaving the Weaver network somewhat threadbare. After the current West Yorkshire Mayor and government have moved on, Leeds will still be the biggest city in
Europe without any form of mass transit. We are no further forward.”
A proposed trolleybus system through parts of North West Leeds was cancelled by the Conservative government in 2016 due to a lack of funds.
- The Government has committed £200 million of funding for Mass Transit between 2021 and 2027. Further funding for Mass Transit has been allocated as part of West Yorkshire’s £2.1 billion Transport for City Regions fund between 2027 and 2032.
- A summary of the independent review and the Combined Authority’s response will be published in an update to the Combined Authority at its next meeting on 22 January 2026.
- Letter from Lord Hendy: LPH – West Yorkshire Mass Transit programme
- Response from Mayor Tracy Brabin: Letter from the Mayor of West Yorkshire to the Minister for Rail
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