Major funding boost secured for West Yorkshire trams

Ambitious plans to bring trams back to West Yorkshire, and deliver a multibillion-pound boost to the economy, have secured a major funding boost from the government.

The Chancellor Rachel Reeves announced the allocation of £2.1 billion of local transport funding to West Yorkshire which will enable the Combined Authority to get spades in the ground on West Yorkshire's tram project by 2028.

Speaking ahead of the Spending Review, the Chancellor joined West Yorkshire Mayor Tracy Brabin at a bus depot in Huddersfield where she unveiled West Yorkshire's 'transport for city regions' funding for 2027-2032. The funding will also support other vital transport infrastructure projects across the region including new bus stations in Bradford and Wakefield, extensive bus priority measures and cycleways on the A641 and North Kirklees transport corridors, and access improvements to unlock regeneration across six key neighbourhoods bordering on Leeds City Centre.

The first phase of West Yorkshire's Mass Transit network will create two tram lines - a Leeds Line, running from St James’s University Hospital through the city centre to the White Rose, and a Bradford Line, connecting Bradford and Leeds city centres.

This represents the region’s biggest infrastructure project in decades and will form part of an integrated transport network, under the single Weaver Network branding, connecting bus, tram and train services as well as walking and cycling routes.

Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said: "It is time for trams - today is a huge moment for our region.

"The Chancellor's backing means we now have the investment needed to bring trams back to the streets of Leeds and Bradford - improving public transport connections and boosting growth.

"We will also be able to take forward other vital projects, including new bus stations for Bradford and Wakefield, which will help us create a better-connected region that works for all."

Councillor James Lewis, leader of Leeds City Council, said: "Delivering a tram system will transform connectivity across our city, and between Leeds and Bradford, bringing jobs and opportunities within easier reach of thousands of local people. This sits alongside other transport improvements including bus reform that reach out across the whole city.

"Securing this funding is another important milestone because it demonstrates clear government backing for the scheme, offering greater confidence and surety as we work together with the Combined Authority and partners to bring trams to our two cities."

The Combined Authority will publish its preferred route options later this year, with a full public consultation planned during 2026.

The £2.5bn mass transit programme will have spades in the ground by 2028, with the intention for the first trams to be operating before the mid-2030s.

The project will improve local transport for over 675,000 people and benefit those in some of West Yorkshire's most deprived communities.

Last year the Combined Authority asked for the public’s views on different route options, with 4,845 individuals and organisations in total having their say.

More than two thirds of those surveyed in West Yorkshire backed the Bradford Line plans, while more than three quarters supported the proposed Leeds Line.

Respondents said improving connections with residential areas, reducing traffic congestion, improving access to employment and education, and providing quick journey times were the most important outcomes.

In addition to the thousands of responses from members of the public, the plans also received support from the region's business, education, and health leaders.

The scheme is included in the Combined Authority’s ten-year, £7billion growth plan, which could support the creation of 33,000 jobs and unlock £26billion of economic growth.