The Strategic Director Place will submit a report (Document “AD”) which provides an update on the development of the Leeds City Region Connectivity Strategy. It follows a report to West Yorkshire Transport Committee on 9 November 2018.

Building on existing connectivity priorities for each West Yorkshire district, it develops the first tranche of Inclusive Growth Corridors (those areas with greatest economic need/opportunity), as identified in the Leeds City Region HS2 Growth Strategy.

The report sets out how transforming connectivity in the communities of greatest economic need will help raise productivity, living standards and improve air quality, thereby helping to deliver Inclusive Growth.

Alongside local priorities, the approach set out in this report, the City Region Transit Network, have the potential to shape future connectivity priorities at a City Region level in the period up to HS2 opening in 2033 and beyond. The proposals are designed to complement, maximise and accelerate inclusive growth associated with HS2 coming to the Leeds City Region.

Recommended –

Executive are requested to:

(1)       Note the update on the work undertaken to date by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and partners to progress the Leeds City Region Connectivity Strategy, as reported to the Combined Authority Transport Committee.

(2)       Request that officers continue to work in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to drive forward the Leeds City Region Connectivity Strategy to deliver appropriate solutions for the city.

(3)       Support the proposed West Yorkshire Transport Committee member working group to oversee the connectivity and mass transit strategy. 

(4)       Endorse the opening of a conversation with the public and stakeholders around the role of mass transit, as a part of an integrated solution to the economic and transport challenges facing West Yorkshire.

 Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Regeneration and Environment

(Julian Jackson – 01274 433766)

Resolved -

 (1)      That the update on the work undertaken to date by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and partners to progress the Leeds City Region Connectivity Strategy, as reported to the Combined Authority Transport Committee be noted.

(2)       That officers be requested to continue to work in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to drive forward the Leeds City Region Connectivity Strategy to deliver appropriate solutions for the city.

(3)       That the proposed West Yorkshire Transport Committee member working group to oversee the connectivity and mass transit strategy be supported. 

(4)       That the opening of a conversation with the public and stakeholders around the role of mass transit, as a part of an integrated solution to the economic and transport challenges facing West Yorkshire be endorsed.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Place

 Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Regeneration and Environment

(Julian Jackson – 01274 433766)

The Strategic Director Place submitted a report (Document “AD”) which provided an update on the development of the Leeds City Region Connectivity Strategy. It follows a report to West Yorkshire Transport Committee on 9 November 2018.

Building on existing connectivity priorities for each West Yorkshire district, it develops the first tranche of Inclusive Growth Corridors (those areas with greatest economic need/opportunity), as identified in the Leeds City Region HS2 Growth Strategy.

The report set out how transforming connectivity in the communities of greatest economic need will help raise productivity, living standards and improve air quality, thereby helping to deliver Inclusive growth.

Alongside local priorities, the approach set out in the report, the City Region Transit Network, had the potential to shape future connectivity priorities at a City Region level in the period up to HS2 opening in 2033 and beyond. The proposals were designed to complement, maximise and accelerate inclusive growth associated with HS2 coming to the Leeds City Region.

A representative from the West Yorkshire Combined Authority was present at the meeting and he stated that this was a start of a conversation with stakeholders across the West Yorkshire region to ascertain whether the solutions proposed were the right ones, with the aim of improving connectivity.

The Leader welcomed the report and stated that this was an important piece of work, predicated on receiving money from Central Government, and she cited that connectivity was crucial in readiness for HS2 and Northern Power Rail.

The Portfolio Holder added that integrated transport links and growing the network were crucial in improving connectivity as well as providing economic benefits to the region.

Resolved -

 (1)      That the update on the work undertaken to date by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority and partners to progress the Leeds City Region Connectivity Strategy, as reported to the Combined Authority Transport Committee be noted.

(2)       That officers be requested to continue to work in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to drive forward the Leeds City Region Connectivity Strategy to deliver appropriate solutions for the city.

(3)       That the proposed West Yorkshire Transport Committee member working group to oversee the connectivity and mass transit strategy be supported. 

(4)       That the opening of a conversation with the public and stakeholders around the role of mass transit, as a part of an integrated solution to the economic and transport challenges facing West Yorkshire be endorsed.

ACTION:       Strategic Director Place

 Overview and Scrutiny Committee: Regeneration and Environment