Connecting Leeds £270 million investment in transport network is complete

Credit: Leeds City Council

Leeds City Council has announced that the unprecedented £270 million Leeds Transport Investment Programme has been completed, transforming transport and travel around the city.

After the start of the programme in 2018, the vision for Connecting Leeds was to deliver a transformational change in the transport network and connectivity across Leeds and the wider region, helping to bring people, places, jobs, learning and leisure closer together. This was to be achieved through improvements to road, rail, bus, park and ride, cycling and walking services and infrastructure – reducing congestion, as well as improving air quality and accessibility.

Building on the £173.5 million awarded by the UK government for investment in public transport, Leeds City Council, in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and further investment by bus operators, has delivered significant improvements to the bus network and enhanced facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.

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Councillor Helen Hayden, Executive Member for Infrastructure and Climate, said: “I’m delighted and proud to have experienced the completion of so many schemes across Leeds – from the UK’s first fully solar powered Stourton park and ride site to the wider pavements and bus priorities along the Headrow. And the fantastic new urban realm spaces around the Corn Exchange Gateway scheme. I’m really pleased to see new areas of public realms as part of these transport schemes, with new space for biodiversity and people to relax. There’s still much more work to do to meet our transport ambitions and that work continues.”

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: “We’ve invested tens of millions into public transport in Leeds, including many miles of cycle and bus lanes and the award-wining, solar-powered Stourton Park and Ride site. Not only has this investment been delivered on time and on budget, but it has provided a real alternative to cars, which will reduce air pollution. We have also created beautiful, green spaces that everyone can enjoy.”

Through Connecting Leeds, the council has worked in partnership with local businesses, stakeholders, and all transport operators in the city, to deliver numerous projects, which includes the installation of nearly a thousand new real-time information boards at bus stops, a new fleet of low emission buses and the transformation of Leeds Bus Station to create a more welcoming offer for passengers, amongst others.