TRANSPORT

Connectivity & infrastructure

Following the release of their Connectivity Infrastructure Plan, which sets out a long-term transport infrastructure investment programme for the next 20 years, the West Yorkshire Combined Authority has been conducting consultations with key private sector partners. The Chamber’s Transport Group have been keenly engaged, and after assessing the Plan in detail, submitted a response. The Plan introduces several key investments, most notably “a new, rapid transit system for West Yorkshire […] linking all of our key places with an easy and reliable service”. Keen to highlight its acknowledgement of environmental factors, WYCA also stress that the Plan is grounded on being part of “a green revolution”. WYCA’s Plan is accompanied by several constituent parts, all of which highlight different key areas of policy, including: • Mass Transit 2040 Vision • West Yorkshire Strategic Bus

Network Review • West Yorkshire Rail Vision • Local Cycling and Walking

Infrastructure Plans • Future Mobility Strategy In preparation, the Chamber have recently outlined our Transport Priorities, by which we would assess the Plan, and found that overall there is strong alignment on a number of these priorities. In particular; • To support and encourage inclusive growth through connecting people to better living standards and jobs, and to significantly improve health and overall wellbeing of the people living and working here. • To create a world class, integrated public transport system that connects different modes of transport seamlessly into one comprehensive, easy to use network. • To deliver a step-change in the reliability of journey times for people, goods and services. • To significantly improve air quality through reducing congestion and traffic emissions to near zero. • To use transport and a supportive planning process to create clean, safe and healthy places for communities and businesses. The following are a summary of comments made from members of the Transport Board and are made in the context of the Chamber providing overall support as described above. The Chamber notes that Leeds City Council is consulting on its Transport Strategy ‘A city where you can leave your car at home’. Given the relationship between the two documents it will be important that the documents align and are complementary. The Connectivity Plan is clearly ambitious which is welcomed, however, there also needs to be focus on delivery and how the scheme is funded and delivered in phases. After a number of failed attempts to get a Mass Transit system in West Yorkshire, it’s important to ensure that this time a Mass Transit scheme appropriate to each route under consideration is delivered. Given the scale of the Mass Transit Network and the high level timescale indicated for delivery, have the Combined Authority looked at the time is has taken other Cities to deliver their network as a way of checking the feasibility of what is shown? The Chamber supports the Combined Authority’s ambition to make West Yorkshire’s future transport system central to achieving the region’s goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2038. In addition, we support the focus on Walking and Cycling. Integration between modes has been a key focus area for the Chamber and its members. We need to do a better job of integrating between modes and the Strategy is positive if it seeks to achieve that. We like the fact the Strategy is looking at transport with land use as it is important we have an integrated approach – our view is that in the past, the planning and transport links have been broken. Clearly, as a result of the timing of the production of the document, there is nothing in the document about the impact of Covid. We’d welcome the Combined Authority reviewing the Strategy in light of the changes of behaviour experienced as a result of Covid. We also believe that Active Travel trips have health benefits and these should be recognised, alongside the social and community benefits from reduction in noise, particulate generation and injury events which would arise from a reduction in road traffic. The Chamber believe the Connectivity Infrastructure Plan and the supporting documents align well with the Chamber’s Transport Priorities and, in principle, is very supportive of the Plan and the level of ambition shown.

TRANSPORT

Connectivity is back on track Next stop, Bradford

The Chamber’s attempts to secure improved rail connectivity on some of the North’s key routes have been heard within government.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has announced that it is committing an additional £317 million to the Trans-Pennine Route Upgrades. The upgrades involve the overhaul and electrification of lines and upgrades to stations. Most of the new funding will be used to improve connectivity between Leeds, Manchester and York, and deliver electrification and upgrades between York and Church Fenton. Digital signalling and doubling of track on the most congested sections around Leeds and Huddersfield are also included as part of the plans. A further decision on the wider Integrated Rail Plan is due imminently. Also of particular relevance for our area, £15 million has been released from the ‘New Stations Fund’, and this will include White Rose and Thorpe Park in Leeds. The Trans-Pennine project is part of a £401 million nation-wide investment programme. Alistair Gordon of Arup, who chairs the Chamber Transport Group, said: “While long overdue, this announcement is a shot-in-the-arm for rail travel in West & North Yorkshire, and the North of England. We’ve deserved better than what’s been available for quite some time, and so the ‘levelling up’ commitments need to be backed up in this way. Our Transport Group will continue to consider and recommend measures that support our local economies and business communities, and I thank the group’s members for their input.” Rail Minister Chris Heaton-Harris said: “The scale of (this) investment demonstrates our commitment to delivering more punctual, greener and comfortable services. From the vital Trans-Pennine and Midland Main Line upgrades, new stations giving communities in Yorkshire and the South West rail connections for the first time, and a shot in the arm for freight operators, we’re building a brighter future for the railways.” The preferred option for Bradford’s Northern Powerhouse Rail (NPR) station has been welcomed by the Chamber.

While a decision is yet to be confirmed by central government on whether or not the proposed new east-west rail line will run through the city, Bradford Council recently said it would like to see the site of the St James Wholesale Market as the location for a brand new station. The announcement was made by Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe to a specially-invited audience at which the Chamber was present. A city centre station is widely seen as the key to unlocking the potential of what has become known as the ‘Southern Gateway’ development. Policy & Representation Executive at West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce, Mike Cartwright, said: “It’s been made very clear that a city centre NPR station is a game-changer for Bradford, and we will keep lobbying away for this until the spades are in the ground. The Trans-Pennine Route upgrades are welcomed, but the NPR line and station are key aspects to under-pinning the city’s wider contribution to local and regional economic growth. They will enable the city to step up and play a fuller part in West Yorkshire’s Economic Strategy.”