The next step in transforming transport and travel in and around Leeds has begun with public consultation starting on plans for bus priority measures on key routes in the city.
Leeds City Council working with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, partners and stakeholders including all transport operators in the city, has been given an update on the transport strategy for the city which has a new name – ‘Connecting Leeds’.
The vision set out for Connecting Leeds is to deliver a transformational stepchange in the transport network and connectivity in Leeds and the wider region, helping to support and bring people, places, jobs, learning and leisure closer together. This will be achieved through improvements to road, rail, bus, park and ride, cycling and walking services and infrastructure, reducing congestion and improving air quality and accessibility in Leeds along with utilising the latest technology innovations.
The proposals are supported by Leeds’ major bus operators, with First Leeds, Arriva Yorkshire and Transdev all backing the plans as part of their broader Bus 18 commitment to make bus travel in the region more reliable, easier to use, customer focused and better for the environment.
All three major bus operators are committed to ensuring their buses will meet the standards for the proposed Clean Air Zone in Leeds by 2020. The operators had their latest vehicles on display for the public to see and tour, showing off the latest features they offer. First Leeds has announced that its Service 5 between Halton Moor and the City Centre loop will be the first of its routes to convert to electric operation in 2019. Bus operators have also pledged to invest in emerging technologies which achieve zero emissions in urban areas.
As part of First Leeds’ commitment to invest £71million to provide 284 new state-of-the-art buses for its Leeds fleet by the end of 2020, the first 34 of these are now ready to enter service in the city. They will be introduced over the coming weeks on service 1 Holt Park-Leeds-Beeston, and service 6 Holt Park-Leeds.
The new buses are ultra-low emission Euro VI, and feature extra comfort seating, audio visual next stop passenger announcements, a new striking green livery, free wi-fi and USB charging. All First Leeds buses in Leeds now also offer contactless payment and ticketless options via smartphone for improved passenger flexibility and faster boarding times.
Enhanced bus travel is an essential element of Connecting Leeds, with the target set of doubling the current 250,000 bus trips made in the city per day within 10 years. To help achieve this, Leeds City Council is wanting to hear people’s views on plans to introduce new infrastructure including bus priority measures on three key routes in the city: Bradford to Leeds via Stanningley, Bramley and Armley; Alwoodley to Leeds via Moortown and Chapel Allerton; and Oakwood and Roundhay to Leeds via Harehills and St James’s Hospital.
The next stage of delivery will look to add to the successes already achieved across the transport network in Leeds in recent months, such as at Thornbury Barracks and Rodley, Harehills Road, St Peter’s Street/Leeds Bus Station and the impact of the park and ride services at Elland Road and Temple Green in taking cars out of the city centre.
Additional new infrastructure would see bus stops improved, with new features including offering the latest real-time service and travel information. Connected to the Bradford to Leeds route, Leeds City Council is also seeking views on plans to improve Armley Gyratory to offer better traffic flows and reduce congestion.
To take part in these consultations, which include drop-in sessions taking place over the coming weeks, visit;
www.leeds.gov.uk/connectingleeds
The new brand for the Leeds transport strategy – Connecting Leeds – reflects a new approach to all transport and travel planning and delivery in Leeds. It has a clear focus on offering a fully integrated transport network across and beyond the city, with services in Leeds connecting seamlessly between communities and also with regional, national and international networks including future plans for HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail.
Work continues on improving cycling and walking provision through City Connect, while Leeds City Council and partners played a key role in new Northern and TransPennine Express trains and services which will come into operation in Leeds from December with increased services at peak times beginning early next year.
