As part of our Multi Area Agreement (MAA), it was agreed in 2008 that a refresh of our Transport Vision would be needed to produce a more focused Leeds City Region Transport Strategy, to link better with Local Transport Plans and Major Schemes supported through the Regional Funding Allocation process.

It is through this Transport Strategy, launched at 2009's City Region Summit, that we are promoting investments in our transport networks to strengthen the City Region’s economic competitiveness and to contribute to achieving the nation’s carbon reduction targets.

We have undertaken a wide-ranging analysis of the transport challenge facing the City Region. This evidence highlights the severe congestion and overcrowding facing many links in the road and rail networks. Moreover, planned housing and employment growth will significantly increase most of these problems. 

This rapid economic growth in the City Region as a whole, and particularly in Leeds, has driven significant increases in travel demand by car and rail. Overall, commuting, and commuting trip distances, have increased.  Many rail services are overcrowded at peak periods. However, bus use has declined overall, and the reductions in the bus networks will limit efforts to reduce the City Region’s dependence on private car journeys. 

The recession has led to a temporary pause in the rising ‘demand’ for travel.   However, over the medium term, the City Region’s economy is expected to grow steadily. Significant improvements in transport networks are needed to enable this growth as well as to address the congestion and overcrowding challenges faced today. 

Similarly, significant housing growth is likely, particularly within Leeds and Bradford and in the Growth Points and Urban Eco-Settlements. Investments in transport networks will be needed to enable this development.  This strategy, therefore, recognises the importance of transport mirroring the way people live their lives and will ensure that local people have good access to jobs and key services including healthcare, education and leisure facilities.