Agenda item

To receive an update from West Yorkshire Combined Authority on the development of the Mass Transit programme, including the Phase 1 scope for Leeds and Bradford lines, current development work and the process of consultation and engagement.

The Chair began by thanking guests from West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) for their engagement with Scrutiny Board members. 

Those in attendance for this item were:

·  Rob Leech (Director of Mass Transit, WYCA)

·  Tim Lawrence (Interim Head of Transport Planning and Appraisal – Mass Transit, WYCA)

·  Sima Alavi (Head of Public Affairs and Engagement, WYCA)

·  Gary Bartlett – (Chief Officer, Transportation and Highways)

Representatives from WYCA delivered a presentation to members about the development of mass transit to date.

Tim Lawrence began with an overview of the case for change, the Programme Strategic Outline Business Case, Mass Transit Vision 2040 and the Strategic Outline Case+.

In considering the case for change, Tim set out the way in which WYCA originally determined the corridors of greatest need for transport intervention. This involved an assessment of factors including access to the transport network in deprived places, levels of existing travel demand, opportunities to join up key assets, planned housing growth, large scale planned employment growth, rail crowding and road congestion.

Members were reminded that the Mass Transit Vision 2040 was endorsed and adopted by WYCA in October 2023, following two phases of statutory public consultation in January 2021 and October 2022.

It was noted that mass transit is designed to be a regional network. However, as Leeds City Centre is the largest single centre of economic, social and cultural activity in West Yorkshire early work identified that it would be integral to the first phase of mass transit.

Further work established that Bradford and Leeds City centres will be the hubs at the heart of the initial phase of mass transit based on two lines. The options consultation is currently ongoing. A preferred option for both the route and technology will be development taking into account the feedback from the ongoing consultation (taking place July - September 2024).

Sima Alavi went on to update the Scrutiny Board on the process of public engagement and consultation. She advised the Scrutiny Board that the current consultation is seeking views from the public and stakeholders on three issues:

·  Which one of the potential route options from Bradford to Leeds is preferred?

·  Which one of the potential route options from St James’ Hospital via Leeds City Centre to the White Rose Centre is preferred?

·  How can a mass transit network be delivered whilst balancing the long-term needs of the environment, social and the economy?

Sima outlined the way in which the consultation has been made available to the public including through online surveys, tactile maps, leafleting events, community drop in engagements, online webinars and a pre-recorded presentation designed for those with a hearing or visual impairment.

Rob Leech provided further information about development phase funding and next steps. He clarified that the total allocated funding is £202m for ongoing development and commencement of the delivery of mass transit phase 1, along with development work on corridors beyond phase 1. The current order of magnitude estimate, based on UK and Ireland benchmarks, for capital cost is £2-2.5bn.

Rob provided an overview of next steps, highlighting that the project aims to have ‘spades in the ground’ by 2028.

Members sought further information about organisational capacity at WYCA, confidence in government support for the scheme and the proposed technology.

In response, Tim provided an outline of the links to the Treasury and Department for Transport, to ensure WYCA has a good understanding of the relevant gateways. WYCA is building organisational capacity and recognises that technical consultants will have to be engaged in relation to some elements of the scheme.

Partners noted the importance of learning from other regions that have already introduced tram systems, such as Manchester and Edinburgh.

Tim reassured members that the potential route options only reflect the first phase of the scheme and there is an ambition to develop a wider regional network.

It was confirmed that tram appears to be the most appropriate technology given demand, financial constraints and the support of Government. However, it is anticipated that as the network develops there will be opportunities to incorporate different modes of transport depending on affordability and viability.

Members queried whether there are any groups that are currently known to oppose the scheme. Sima noted that she was not aware of significant opposition from any group. She reiterated the importance of building relationships with stakeholders.

In considering the next steps for the scheme, members asked whether future consultation exercises would be duplicating current activity, and therefore causing delays to the programme.  In response, Rob advised the Scrutiny Board that the next consultation will be significantly more detailed, especially for properties and businesses who would be directly affected by the scheme.

Concern was raised about the cost of the scheme over running, as was the case in the Edinburgh during phase 1 of their in-house scheme, and further information was sought about the potential use of driverless technology and automation.

Rob advised the Scrutiny Board that they are learning from the experience in Edinburgh. He noted that the second phases of the scheme in Edinburgh did not overrun. Several people who worked on the Edinburgh scheme are now working on the West Yorkshire project. However, he also set out how the scheme will make allowance for optimism bias and the way in which that will diminish over time as a better assessment of costed risk is developed.

It was confirmed that WYCA is not considering bespoke technology and will be considering infrastructure based on market norms.

Members were informed the next consultation will include potential locations for stops.

RESOLVED: Members agreed to note the report and to consider requesting future updates as the scheme develops.