£27m bid submitted to ‘transform’ Leeds city region travel

The West Yorkshire Combined Authority and its partners have submitted a £27m bid to the government for funding to ‘transform’ travel within the Leeds city region.

The authority has submitted a bid for Future Mobility Zone funding which would see a range of initiatives introduced aiming to reduce congestion and pollution.

If successful, the funding will support the creation of ‘mobility hubs’ across the region in places such as Harrogate, Calderdale and Kirklees, enabling people to access a range of transport including e-bikes, car club vehicles, taxis and smaller responsive buses.

Cllr Kim Groves, chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, commented: “Our Future Mobility Zone bid sets out an innovative new approach to how transport in West Yorkshire is provided, giving people greater control and flexibility over how they travel around the region.

“Through the bid we also want to enable those on lower incomes or who face other barriers to using public transport to have access to flexible, affordable transport options that meet their needs.

“This is all about developing a transport network for the future, that helps people travel to work, education, leisure and other facilities in the easiest, most flexible and accessible way possible – rather than having to rely on services that don’t currently meet their needs.”