An interesting development concerning connecting Elland Road and the Beeston & Holbeck area to Leeds city centre has occurred over the last week.
The mayor of West Yorkshire Tracy Brabin speaking to BBC Radio Leeds on Monday reiterated her legacy project pledge that: “We are going to deliver a tram for West Yorkshire.”
The Labour mayor had been asked about the decision not to publish a report that has led to West Yorkshire’s planned network being delayed until the late 2030s. Undeterred Brabin, whilst acknowledging people’s cynicism, described the delay “as a bump in the road we will navigate”.
Mayor Brabin, when challenged over the realistic prospect of delivering a mass transit system, countered: “We have the backing of business, we have the backing of the politicians, we have the backing of government and we have the money.”
In terms of finance £2.1bn of funding for the project as part of West Yorkshire’s Transport for City Regions settlement has been allocated and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority plans to submit its first strategic outline business case for approval this year. The Department for Transport (DfT) says Leeds City Council has described the area around the ground as one of the most significant development opportunities in the country, with the potential to deliver about 2,000 new homes.
Ally the mayor’s comments with those of the Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves on her Instagram last week and it is fair to say there is a push by this government to recognise how important it will be to connect the city, with the stadium and the White Rose Centre via a transport link.
“I know how much potential our patch has to offer,” claimed the Leeds West and Pudsey MP as she was referring “to the green light for the economy boosting expansion of Elland Road”, which includes the redevelopment of the West and North Stand to increase stadium to more than 50,000 capacity.
Chancellor Reeves’ social media post was accompanied by a video showing her meeting with Leeds United director Peter Lowy and others at Number 11. It revealed that the Lowy Family Group (LFG) is backing what she says is a £650m redevelopment plan for Elland Road. It is understood that the investment is actually greater than that which the Chancellor quoted. His Majesty’s Treasury was asked by BBC Radio Leeds to explain the figure and how it was reached but were told by a government spokesperson: “The funding is with His Majesty’s Treasury and at this moment they don’t have a breakdown I can provide unfortunately.”
Like Mayor Brabin the Chancellor mentioned the importance of private business and referred to the Lowy Family Group’s (LFG) investment as being able to “create jobs, unlock opportunities and bring more people into the local economy”.
Chancellor Reeves cited the need to “tear down the blockers and barriers to progress” and how legislation has been brought in “to cut unnecessary planning delays and accelerate the delivery of vital infrastructure from transport to clean energy.”
BBC Radio Leeds understands that the meeting with (LFG) was about funding a Light Rail system which may be a tram from Leeds station to White Rose including a stop at Elland Road. In light of what the Chancellor is suggesting can this link be pushed to the fore and delivered earlier than has been anticipated?
His Majesty’s Treasury and The Department for Transport have said the timetable for the delivery of mass transit is a matter for the Mayor and the devolved funding is for her to prioritise. The Government told BBC Radio Leeds “it is fully committed to delivering the Mayor of West Yorkshire’s ambition to deliver a Mass Transit system and supports the Mayor’s ambition for spades in the ground on preparatory works by 2028, and will continue to work with the Mayor on the date for entry into service.”
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