By John Greenwood, local democracy reporter
Mass transit plans for West Yorkshire are very important – but is enough being done to engage the public? A Calderdale councillor asked this question of Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin.
Coun Amanda Parsons-Hulse (Lib Dem) said consultation into the proposals, which aim to re-shape public transport in West Yorkshire – including West Leeds – is still “live”, but she was concerned enough was being done to encourage people to register their views.
The consultation’s title – West Yorkshire Mass Transit Special Development Framework Joint Development Plan Document, Regulation 18 – was not exactly grabbing people’s attention, she said.
Coun Parsons-Hulse (Lib Dem, Warley) said: “My concern is, it is under the radar. It’s just not grabbing me.”
She said she was disappointed as the Mayor, who was engaging in a question-and-answer session at Calderdale Council, is good at engaging people, but this title was “officer speak.”
“This is a really important consultation and it feels as if it has dropped off the list,” said Coun Parsons-Hulse.
She appreciated some “frequently asked questions” and a non-technical summary had been provided on West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s website, but more work to promote the consultation including on social media was needed.
“I’d just like to see a little bit more engagement with the public? It’s so important we get them on board early doors,” said Coun Parsons-Hulse.
Mayor Brabin said West Yorkshire’s local authorities were leading the Mass Transit plans.
“It’s for the local authorities to look at their Local Plans in readiness for Mass Transit.
“I’m very happy to send a briefing or put you in touch with a colleague that can talk you through it, but the consultation, I’m not leading on it, it’s the local authorities,” she said.
West Yorkshire’s mass transit scheme will expand from initial tram lines in Leeds and Bradford into a region‑wide network over the 2030s.
Leeds and Bradford will act as hubs for future extensions across all five districts, supported by ongoing consultation and phased planning, according to West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
The project forms the backbone of the wider Weaver Network, integrating trams with a newly franchised bus system to improve reliability and connectivity.
One of the proposed mass transit lines will run through West Leeds, linking Leeds and Bradford. The exact route is still to be decided.
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It’s the only thing Breadbin is botherd about + keeping the muslim voters happy,as per labour rules.How much money has been wasted on this cloud cuckoo plan?