Leeds Bradford: Future Infrastructure Developments

[LBA787]

Really no surprise, an absolutely disgusting decision. Once again highlighting recent government’s failure to put any form of serious capital infrastructure into the Yorkshire region.

It really pisses me of how Manchester once again is untouchable. Don’t get me wrong i admire their rise as a serious European city but it was only 17-18 or so years ago Leeds and Manchester were on a similar level.

Since around 2002 Manchester as trebled it’s Tram network, rebuilt Victoria station, built countless arterial roads, doubled the size of MAN Terminal 2, built a very impressive skyline with massive amounts of international investment and are about to integrate all their transport the same way London does.

No doubt HS2 will be completed up the West side of the country and they’ll probably double their tram network again within the next 15 years.

Just what has Leeds as a city region done in that time?

I mean even the ELOR (East Leeds Orbital Road) is a watered down affair without grade separated junctions.

I’m baffled, I love my city, my county but just what are we electing into power that continually ignores basic needs…

As A300Boy points out another rather large housing estate is to be built on the site of the old college in Horsforth, the same Horsforth where the ring road is already practically annihilated every evening basically for the lack of infrastructure or improvement.

I live further round near farsley and the local councillors have recently championed an apparent upgrade to the ring road from Dawson’s corner up towards Horsforth, it’s basically a path for pedestrians and a bridge, all good but totally ignoring the imperative need to finally dual the road from Dawson’s corner through to lawnswood roundabout.

You can probably no doubt tell I’m a little miffed the Leeds City Region will miss out on this.

 

[LBA4EVER]

Really no surprise, an absolutely disgusting decision. Once again highlighting recent government’s failure to put any form of serious capital infrastructure into the Yorkshire region.

It really pisses me of how Manchester once again is untouchable. Don’t get me wrong i admire their rise as a serious European city but it was only 17-18 or so years ago Leeds and Manchester were on a similar level.

Since around 2002 Manchester as trebled it’s Tram network, rebuilt Victoria station, built countless arterial roads, doubled the size of MAN Terminal 2, built a very impressive skyline with massive amounts of international investment and are about to integrate all their transport the same way London does.

No doubt HS2 will be completed up the West side of the country and they’ll probably double their tram network again within the next 15 years.

Just what has Leeds as a city region done in that time?

I mean even the ELOR (East Leeds Orbital Road) is a watered down affair without grade separated junctions.

I’m baffled, I love my city, my county but just what are we electing into power that continually ignores basic needs…

As A300Boy points out another rather large housing estate is to be built on the site of the old college in Horsforth, the same Horsforth where the ring road is already practically annihilated every evening basically for the lack of infrastructure or improvement.

I live further round near farsley and the local councillors have recently championed an apparent upgrade to the ring road from Dawson’s corner up towards Horsforth, it’s basically a path for pedestrians and a bridge, all good but totally ignoring the imperative need to finally dual the road from Dawson’s corner through to lawnswood roundabout.

You can probably no doubt tell I’m a little miffed the Leeds City Region will miss out on this.

I agree with most of your points on here, but i must argue, when it comes to the city centre the developments happening in leeds cc at the moment is pretty impressive with a huge amount of new developments due to commence soon some of which are 30 to 50 floor skyscrapers, with also plans to double the city centre right out to armley gyratory and hunslet, the leeds skyline has changed drastically over just the last 5 to 10 years and looks very impressive from many approaches into the city.
I believe leeds and Manchester are the 2 most happening places at the moment, even more so than birmingham these days. I believe leeds cc has around 80 developments either under construction and under the plans Panel hopefully to be approved.

But yes i fully agree what an absolute sh*t show the rest of the city is, its alright having an amazing city centre but if your roads are jammed to hell, your airports falling apart and public transport cant get in or out of the city for the traffic jams then its not a good image. Transport wise we have absolutely NOTHING! Its absolutely appalling, like you i love leeds but its just not on how the government treat leeds and west yorkshire!

 

[752]

Surely the must be some sort of up raw if we dont get HS2 & a new terminal? Let us develop...!

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

We need vision.
We need to stop pandering to everyone (they dont in Manchester).
We need councils with vision (Bradford wants one railway station etc - she's got vision. Where is Leeds vision).
We need someone with a backbone.
We need someone who will be like the Andy Burnham. Well liked, but hated by Boris. (I'll happily do it as the feeling is more then mutual towards the tosser).
We need to rid of Labour MP's as they just full of hot air.
We need a political party that will represent the Norths voice and not one that's going to split the voice (like Labour) in Westminster. Locally Labour can and do do some good.

 

[HX3]

I’ve said it before, but a new sh*t pipe in London has been given more cash and priority than any transport project in the Leeds city region - that’s the reality of levelling up from our London centric government. As for our local Mayor, she says lots of words but follows up with nothing. Infrastructure is crumbling, there is no local vision, no investment and no ambition - a really poor state of affairs. Let’s hope LBA gets something out of Thursday’s announcement.

 

[ChrisBBB]

We need vision.
We need to stop pandering to everyone (they dont in Manchester).
We need councils with vision (Bradford wants one railway station etc - she's got vision. Where is Leeds vision).
We need someone with a backbone.
We need someone who will be like the Andy Burnham. Well liked, but hated by Boris. (I'll happily do it as the feeling is more then mutual towards the tosser).
We need to rid of Labour MP's as they just full of hot air.
We need a political party that will represent the Norths voice and not one that's going to split the voice (like Labour) in Westminster. Locally Labour can and do do some good.

Wow, as a Bradfordian I never thought I’d see us the envy of Leeds!
There have always been grandiose but nearly always unachievable visions for Bradford.
One railway station, opening the canal up, Odsal (Wembley of the north) - never coming to fruition.
It shouldn’t have to, but until the two start working together as one, I think we in West Yorkshire will continue to be left behind.
Both cities have massive populations which compliment each other in different ways, and genuinely could (and perhaps should) become a northern power house independently of government.

 

[lbaspotter]

Is anyone really surprised by the HS2 eastern leg scrapping decision, I know i'm not. It actually might be a clever move by the Tories to win more red wall seats if you go by the views of the people this article.

HS2: Campaigners 'elated' after high-speed rail link scrapped

Relief sweeps towns and villages in Yorkshire as reports suggest a high-speed line will be scrapped.

www.bbc.co.uk

Here's hoping the Terminal development gets the go ahead, The Airport gets its new parkway station and Leeds gets it Tram system. And can we have the London link restored Boris?

 

[LBA4EVER]

Wow, as a Bradfordian I never thought I’d see us the envy of Leeds!
There have always been grandiose but nearly always unachievable visions for Bradford.
One railway station, opening the canal up, Odsal (Wembley of the north) - never coming to fruition.
It shouldn’t have to, but until the two start working together as one, I think we in West Yorkshire will continue to be left behind.
Both cities have massive populations which compliment each other in different ways, and genuinely could (and perhaps should) become a northern power house independently of government.

I've often thought the same as leeds and bradford are joined onto each other, the two can work together certainly with an integrated transport system as daily many commute between the two cities. Bradford seriously needs investment esp its city centre, the place is on its knees, for eg when was the last time a single crane was up in bradford cc constructing a new build? Where as leeds its booming.
Perhaps the region should be called greater leeds incorporating bradford and other towns, we would be recognised more nationally?

 

[XEROX]

Is anyone really surprised by the HS2 eastern leg scrapping decision, I know i'm not. It actually might be a clever move by the Tories to win more red wall seats if you go by the views of the people this article.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-engla...stom1=link&at_custom3=Regional+BBC+Yorkshire+

Here's hoping the Terminal development gets the go ahead, The Airport gets its new parkway station and Leeds gets it Tram system. And can we have the London link restored Boris?

A lot of folks are underestimating the long term damage of this decision. HS2 forces intercity trains onto its own tracks, moving them off tracks shared by town line trains. Not having to share the lines means local trains can increase frequency, and add more local stations. By scrapping HS2 in Leeds, its going to have a proper knock on affect on future transport projects and business. Forget North-South divide, its becoming very imbalanced in North too with Manchester. Its shocking what the Tories have done, they piss away billions each year on London projects likes its going out of fashion, and now pumping infrastructure investment into smaller Tory voting constituencies....... how can they not give us the Airport after all of this bullshit. Im so angry.

 

[White Heather]

I've often thought the same as leeds and bradford are joined onto each other, the two can work together certainly with an integrated transport system as daily many commute between the two cities. Bradford seriously needs investment esp its city centre, the place is on its knees, for eg when was the last time a single crane was up in bradford cc constructing a new build? Where as leeds its booming.
Perhaps the region should be called greater leeds incorporating bradford and other towns, we would be recognised more nationally?

I think that calling it Greater Leeds, mirroring the West of the Pennines, would never have been considered as the intention has always been to boost Manchester. Not Leeds. It's amazing Leeds has done as well as it has in attracting business despite the apparent lack of interest in this region from Government.

The other issue is that although there are various small town around Manchester to be lumped into Greater Manchester, there's only one city - Salford - which barely has an identity of it's own. Most folk think Salford IS Manchester! Whereas here, we have other cities like Wakefield and Bradford, plus larger towns like Huddersfield and Halifax and even Harrogate. Can you imagine the reaction in Bradford had they become part of Greater Leeds?!

As for our Mayor, it seems to me that she is totally out of her depth and she appears limited to promoting nothing more than buses and cycle lanes. Totally not impressed with her so far and she continues to sit on the fence in silence over the airport terminal.

 

[A400]

Whilst it’s disappointing to hear about HS2 I’m not surprised in the slightest. All I’ve read is it’s not going to happen then two minutes later it is definitely happening.

Could be good for LBA in the long run. Hopefully the London link back would be nice.

 

[HX3]

Unfortunately West Yorkshire were too late to the show with getting a Mayor. The Government unlocked funding on the basis of regional mayors and Manchester was quick to recognise that and get the funding- they are better at bidding for it now as they now have more experience. This bidding for additional funding is part of the issue. A federated system based on population and funding according to that, would provide for a better integrated region as well as better wealth distribution in England. A centralised system such as we have in the UK will never serve its regions well. Let’s hope that out of this sh*t storm, the airport will get it’s delayed decision and be able to crack on with much needed development. Fingers crossed!! Our tax pounds go in to the pot, we need to ensure we get our fair share back and get proper levelling up, not some buzz words from Boris just to pacify us northerners.

 

[Finger66]

As a Bradfordian I am mightily disappointed as to how Bradford is. Even our footy team can’t get out of the lowest pro league. But it is in a slightly better place than pre Broadway, but massively behind Leeds. I also work for a company in Bradford that have other offices around the UK, but we don’t refer to ourselves as XXXXXX Bradford. What does that say about the reputation of the city - not much in my eyes - but that pains me hugely. So perhaps now is the time to fight as a collective “West Yorkshire” as there appears to be individual city failings

 

[A400]

As for our Mayor, it seems to me that she is totally out of her depth and she appears limited to promoting nothing more than buses and cycle lanes. Totally not impressed with her so far and she continues to sit on the fence in silence over the airport terminal.

The buses are still terrible in Leeds I’ve seen no change. Still unreliable. So I don’t know what’s doing for buses but I’ve yet to experience the changes if there are any.

 

[White Heather]

The buses are still terrible in Leeds I’ve seen no change. Still unreliable. So I don’t know what’s doing for buses but I’ve yet to experience the changes if there are any.

We have fancy bus stops though .....

 

[A400]

We have fancy bus stops though .....

Same can’t be said for the bus service .

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

Wow, as a Bradfordian I never thought I’d see us the envy of Leeds!
There have always been grandiose but nearly always unachievable visions for Bradford.
One railway station, opening the canal up, Odsal (Wembley of the north) - never coming to fruition.
It shouldn’t have to, but until the two start working together as one, I think we in West Yorkshire will continue to be left behind.
Both cities have massive populations which compliment each other in different ways, and genuinely could (and perhaps should) become a northern power house independently of government.

As someone born in the BRI, who's mother grew up in Bradford, and as someone who has a good chunk of family and work colleagues living there I can tell you I'm equally split between the love of both cities. I'm proud to be from Bradford, born, and it's had some form of influence on my life. Likewise I love the fact I've grown up in Leeds, particularly North Leeds, which was (still is maybe), a very good place to be a teenager and good for it's social life. Not only that, whilst it appears Leeds "may have it all" - it doesn't have Baildon moor. And the theatre Bradford has is world class and out of this world - compared to Leeds' few ones which are nothing in comparison. Attracting big shows like the Lion King to Bradford as the example next year which is good for the City and wider region.

I'm envious of the fact you've got a leader that wants a good vision for her city. Whilst she maybe on TV going on about the train station I've recently asked for help with a family issue. She was very good to reply, her reply informative, and when we said we'll try take it privately without the help from her, she more or less said you know where I am should you need assistance from us. That is what politics is about - grass roots stuff. Anyway I'm with you - a lot should be done for the city of Bradford. The infrastructure is appealing considering, its like Leeds, if one junction goes Pete tong and the whole bloody road network suffers. And any road network that suffers that connects both well don't even get me started.

I agree with the cities working as one unit to become a northern power house - likewise if they worked together with Manchester and Newcastle it would be great. If they could link - Newcastle-York-Leeds-Bradford-Halifax-Manchester-Liverpool up the benefits far outweigh any drawbacks. The economic case of this stacks up. Sadly we have to fight in the corner with NIMNBYS, WWIBNIMBY (We Want It but ...), funding from central government, funding full stop and other bits.

The thing with Yorkshire that annoys me in the last few years - is that they build these train stations with no forecast on who they will succeed. So they do all the hard-work but don't actually build in reliance and growth. Take for example Apperly Bridge station. The car park spaces outstrip the demand for such spaces. They should of built a larger car park. Horsforth Forge - you cannot get a space for love nor money. I asked why the amount of spaces available was drastically reduced from when it first opened - for the office was the response. Well basically that train station is now redundant if you cannot attract people into it.

The other thing Leeds/Bradford suffer from is the railway infrastructure of the two cities. For Leeds - you have 0 railways that serve North East Leeds and up to Wetherby, you have two lines that go towards East and South East but only services (especially SE) with a train an hour. The North West has an alright service but for a good chunk of the population it's easier to drive into town than drive 10 minutes to the train station to find you cannot get a spot and once you've found one you've missed the train. As for Bradford, it's covered in the North West Region of the City but its the South that suffers with no railway connection. So again buses are relied upon. We need someone with vision of what this tram system will look like. And have key milestones of how quick they want to achieve and what they want to achieve within those areas.

Anyway I'm diverging from subject...

 

[White Heather]

Same can’t be said for the bus service .

Funnily enough, my route (6) is pretty good. Loads of buses, nearly all new, so no complaints.

 

[White Heather]

As someone born in the BRI, who's mother grew up in Bradford, and as someone who has a good chunk of family and work colleagues living there I can tell you I'm equally split between the love of both cities. I'm proud to be from Bradford, born, and it's had some form of influence on my life. Likewise I love the fact I've grown up in Leeds, particularly North Leeds, which was (still is maybe), a very good place to be a teenager and good for it's social life. Not only that, whilst it appears Leeds "may have it all" - it doesn't have Baildon moor. And the theatre Bradford has is world class and out of this world - compared to Leeds' few ones which are nothing in comparison. Attracting big shows like the Lion King to Bradford as the example next year which is good for the City and wider region.

I'm envious of the fact you've got a leader that wants a good vision for her city. Whilst she maybe on TV going on about the train station I've recently asked for help with a family issue. She was very good to reply, her reply informative, and when we said we'll try take it privately without the help from her, she more or less said you know where I am should you need assistance from us. That is what politics is about - grass roots stuff. Anyway I'm with you - a lot should be done for the city of Bradford. The infrastructure is appealing considering, its like Leeds, if one junction goes Pete tong and the whole bloody road network suffers. And any road network that suffers that connects both well don't even get me started.

I agree with the cities working as one unit to become a northern power house - likewise if they worked together with Manchester and Newcastle it would be great. If they could link - Newcastle-York-Leeds-Bradford-Halifax-Manchester-Liverpool up the benefits far outweigh any drawbacks. The economic case of this stacks up. Sadly we have to fight in the corner with NIMNBYS, WWIBNIMBY (We Want It but ...), funding from central government, funding full stop and other bits.

The thing with Yorkshire that annoys me in the last few years - is that they build these train stations with no forecast on who they will succeed. So they do all the hard-work but don't actually build in reliance and growth. Take for example Apperly Bridge station. The car park spaces outstrip the demand for such spaces. They should of built a larger car park. Horsforth Forge - you cannot get a space for love nor money. I asked why the amount of spaces available was drastically reduced from when it first opened - for the office was the response. Well basically that train station is now redundant if you cannot attract people into it.

The other thing Leeds/Bradford suffer from is the railway infrastructure of the two cities. For Leeds - you have 0 railways that serve North East Leeds and up to Wetherby, you have two lines that go towards East and South East but only services (especially SE) with a train an hour. The North West has an alright service but for a good chunk of the population it's easier to drive into town than drive 10 minutes to the train station to find you cannot get a spot and once you've found one you've missed the train. As for Bradford, it's covered in the North West Region of the City but its the South that suffers with no railway connection. So again buses are relied upon. We need someone with vision of what this tram system will look like. And have key milestones of how quick they want to achieve and what they want to achieve within those areas.

Anyway I'm diverging from subject...

Agree except for your view that Leeds theatres are nothing compared to the Alhambra. The Leeds Grand is a superb theatre and in case you forget, home to Opera North. The Leeds Playhouse is one of the best of its kind in the country, attracting star playwrites and performers, and the Leeds City Varieties, although small, is one of the best and most historic of it's type in the UK.
Yes, the Alhambra is a lovely theatre, but Leeds has 3, each of which has its own place in the community and two of which have some history behind them.
Anyway, back to airport matters..........

 

[Sherburnflyer92]

@White Heather probably because I'm never ever visited any of the Leeds. When I did I thought the Grease Production was the biggest waste of money I've ever spent. I've always gone to Bradford, they attract the west end shows, and the Panto there is just another scale. Maybe I need to give them a chance again ....

Airport it is...