Road, Rail & Access Issues

[HX3]

Well being behind other cities in terms of infrastructure, gives an opportunity to learn, so maybe Leeds could be more innovative.

 

[paully]

Well being behind other cities in terms of infrastructure, gives an opportunity to learn, so maybe Leeds could be more innovative.

True but you'd have to get rid of Leeds City Council first....Their collective imagination is very limited.

 

[Len Fish]

As it would seem is that of the proposed Labour candidate for the Yeadon area. Another climate activist with a one track mind, it doesn’t augur well.

 

[JRP]

Perhaps leeds should be unique/think out the box and construct something totally different so we are ahead of the competition!

Horse and cart? That’s unique, they could use the cycle lanes

 

[White Heather]

As it would seem is that of the proposed Labour candidate for the Yeadon area. Another climate activist with a one track mind, it doesn’t augur well.

Just as well MPs can't do much more than write letters on headed paper and mouth off when it comes to planning . It's the Councillors who are the major problem, especially those on the Plans Panel.

 

[leedslad]

Phase one plan for West Yorks Mass Transit released today.

As expected the airport isn't in phase one, but of course getting the city centre loops built first is the priority (if indeed it ever happens).

Presumably the airport might follow in a later phase.

Additionally the govt published "A vision for Leeds" as part of the budget yesterday. It mentioned Thorpe Park and White Rose train stations but not airport.

 

[SierraHotel]

On the subject of LBA projects unlikely to happen, is there any news in respect of the Parkway station?

 

[White Heather]

On the subject of LBA projects unlikely to happen, is there any news in respect of the Parkway station?

Last I heard was the final bit if land was in the process of being bought from the farmer, with the rest already bought. Design was in the final stages and completion still expected 2026.

But, this is Leeds, so who knows if/when it'll ever get done. There is a real need for a park and ride in the area so hopefully that will keep the project on the front burner instead of the back one.

 

[lbaspotter]

I've just checked the West Yorkshire combined authority's website page for the Leeds Bradford Parkway station project and the last update was posted back in August 2023 and before that was December 2022 stating the following.

Source: https://www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/lba-parkway

Update August 2023
The scheme is currently progressing a full business case, with the aim to submit to our assurance team by the end of the year. Subject to approvals, further detailed design will take place and planning application will be sought in 2024, with the delivery phase starting after

Update December 2022
Leeds Bradford Airport Parkway Station is currently in the design phase and working towards a Full Business Case. This is due to be completed and submitted to our assurance panel in early 2023. Planning consent will be sought thereafter with the delivery phase due to start in 2024.

Leeds City Council asked for views and comments on proposals to improve sustainable transport connections along Whitehouse Lane and Scotland Lane, during November-18 December 2022. The new proposals would support better connections for public transport and active travel between the proposed parkway rail station, the proposed North West Leeds Employment Hub, Leeds Bradford Airport, and surrounding communities.

These proposals form the first phase of a connectivity package which replaces the A65-A658 Link Route proposals, which were discontinued after consultation feedback demonstrated no clear support for any of the three options and following the council’s declaration of a Climate Emergency. Click here (https://scotlandlaneleeds.commonplace.is/(External link)) to find out more information.

Hope that helps.

 

[LBA4EVER]

Remember when the hs2 leg to mancs was cancelled leeds was promised a supertram, any news on that or once again like everything else in leeds a non starter!!

 

[Finger66]

Remember when the hs2 leg to mancs was cancelled leeds was promised a supertram, any news on that or once again like everything else in leeds a non starter!!

Was going to make a football related reply to that one but then thought better of it with supporting a team languishing mid table in the bottom division!

 

[lbaspotter]

Well as far as I understand some of the funding for the planned £42 million LBA Parkway rail station is already in place as it's come out of the the Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme (LPTIP)

So it actually stands a good chance of been built compared to other projects that have been axed

 

[Finger66]

Certainly sounds like there is a good platform in place then!

 

[dmrodgers]

Remember when the hs2 leg to mancs was cancelled leeds was promised a supertram, any news on that or once again like everything else in leeds a non starter!!

Mention today of Supertram in the Yorkshire Evening Post but nothing yet about it coming to LBA.

First look at Leeds route plans for new tram network as lines could serve Elland Road

Plans to build a mass transit system in Leeds connecting across West Yorkshire that would "revolutionise the region's transport network" have been shared, offering an insight into proposed routes for tram lines.

www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

 

[lbaspotter]

Mention today of Supertram in the Yorkshire Evening Post but nothing yet about it coming to LBA.

First look at Leeds route plans for new tram network as lines could serve Elland Road

Plans to build a mass transit system in Leeds connecting across West Yorkshire that would "revolutionise the region's transport network" have been shared, offering an insight into proposed routes for tram lines.

www.yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

Its wasn't in the plans for the Trams to come up to LBA. It always been hard rail up to the Parkway.

 

[Aviador]

Its wasn't in the plans for the Trams to come up to LBA. It always been hard rail up to the Parkway.

I thought the plan was a tram-train?

 

[lbaspotter]

I thought the plan was a tram-train?

Really putting Trams on the Leeds to Harrogate Line! Not sure the regular customers on them services would be happy with that idea. I think you need to have a full read of the plans for the LBA Parkway Station again @Aviador as the is no mention of tram trains in the available documents online here: https://www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/lba-parkway

I think plan was to have Northern Trains using the current Class 170 Turbostar, & Class 150 Sprinters running half hourly to both Leeds & Harrogate and hourly onto York, plus the LNER Class 800 Azuma's stopping which operate the Harrogate - London service which would enable direct cross city links to Wakefield and Doncaster. Hence the need for 9 car long platforms.

What's you thought on this @Bigman?

 

[White Heather]

In the longer term the new tram system is supposed to operate into North West Leeds and to the airport, although as they aren't starting to even build the first two lines until 2028, I can't see it happening in my lifetime. At least they are linking Elland Road and St James's hospital which is handy for games against Millwall.

It's quite typical for Leeds that the airport and this part of Leeds are years down the line. The lack of inclusion in the tram network (yet) makes the parkway station even more important .

 

[Bigman]

If you did have an existing tram network in the city centre then IMHO it makes it more viable to operate a tram-train system to the airport. What you have to remember is that you need to have separate infrastructure in place for trams ie a depot for starters. What is certain is that trams can operate to a higher gradient which makes a spur to the airport terminal more viable.

While I am on a roll watching the darts, we also need to consider that there is no guarantee that the current service pattern on the Harrogate line would remain. There is nothing to stop through trains from the likes of Bradford. Huddersfield or Sheffield to run through to Harrogate

 

[Snackbar]

In the longer term the new tram system is supposed to operate into North West Leeds and to the airport, although as they aren't starting to even build the first two lines until 2028, I can't see it happening in my lifetime. At least they are linking Elland Road and St James's hospital which is handy for games against Millwall.

It's quite typical for Leeds that the airport and this part of Leeds are years down the line. The lack of inclusion in the tram network (yet) makes the parkway station even more important .

See page 27 of the attached, it states “the immediate priority to improve access to the airport is the new Parkway station…..” it does go on though to state that its already in development which clearly isn’t strictly true! https://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/media/8846/mass-transit-vision-2040-august-version.pdf
On the funding point I suspect this may be one of the issues - the Council hoped to get levelling up funding for the project but this was rejected by the gov. https://democracy.leeds.gov.uk/documents/s233883/Levelling Up Fund Cover Report 130622.pdf just to add Alex Sobel had put his name to the NW Leeds funding submission no wonder it failed!