FAQs

We are setting out a clear vision for the future of transport in West Yorkshire and its role in supporting our ambitions for our region in terms of improving standards of living and tackling the climate emergency. We have done detailed work to understand how and where people will live, work and access services in the coming years and the communities we need to better connect. This plan is about how transport can ensure all our communities have access to those opportunities. 

We have carried out a series of 24 studies covering the whole of West Yorkshire looking at where people live, work and access services now, how that will change in the coming years and identifying how we need to invest in the transport network to ensure all have access to opportunity. These proposals are a starting point around which we are seeking views and will continue to be developed. 

We are not anti-car or against new road building – some new roads will be needed to open up sites for housing and jobs growth, and road network improvements will be prioritised where they deliver junction and roundabout improvements to improve safety and traffic flow for cars, buses, motorcycles, cyclists and pedestrians - but we propose a pause on developing new road schemes where the only beneficiary is the private vehicle. New roads must work for all road users. Our Plan proposes an approach to the design of roads informed by an understanding of the importance of a road’s place and movement functions, and the mix and balance of different transport modes – this will provide a framework for making decisions that balance competing demands for limited road space. Roads already being planned/developed will be assessed for their impacts. The Combined Authority is developing a carbon impact assessment toolkit which will be used to assess schemes as they progress through our assurance process.

Mass Transit is likely to have a high cost, but also deliver substantial benefits to West Yorkshire. It is clear it will require additional Government funding to support its delivery and the West Yorkshire devolution deal provides the region with access to the Government’s £4.2bn fund for urban transport and we will be submitting proposals to secure a significant share. 

Our ability to truly accelerate the delivery of these ambitious proposals is subject to long term certainty over funding and the strength of the business case. The Mass Transit vision document (Pages 44-45) sets out the ambitious plans and proposes that construction of a first phase of starting by 2025-26, with it in operation by 2028-29. 

Mass transit will be just one part of our integrated transport network. Our Connectivity Infrastructure Plan sets out how walking, cycling, bus, rail and mass transit will be integrated to connect all our communities. 

As part of our Public Sector Equality Duty, we have to consider the impacts of our proposals on those with protected characteristics and evidence that we are achieving the objectives of section 149 of the Equality Act 2010 to:

(a) eliminate discrimination, harassment, victimisation and any other conduct that is prohibited by or under the Equality Act 2010;

(b) advance equality of opportunity between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it;

(c) foster good relations between persons who share a relevant protected characteristic and persons who do not share it.

To help us do this we have carried out Equality Impact Assessments (EIA’s) on the Connectivity Infrastructure Plan itself and on the public engagement work that we are now carrying out.

 The EIA’s cover impacts on a range of protected characteristic groups:

• Age
• Disability
• Gender Reassignment
• Marriage / Civil Partnership
• Pregnancy and Maternity
• Race
• Religion & Belief
• Sex
• Sexual Orientation

We have reviewed available research and discussed potential impacts with our internal teams and have not identified any negative impacts at this stage. There are in fact potentially positive impacts on a range of aspects for some of the protected characteristic groups. The EIA will be revisited and updated following the engagement exercise.

It should be noted that any infrastructure projects or initiatives which arise from the Connectivity Infrastructure Plan will be subject to detailed Equality Impact Assessment as part of the scheme development process. We feel that the level of EIA we have carried out is appropriate to the strategic nature of the Connectivity Infrastructure Plan.   

The EIA documents are available on request.

Alternative formats of the engagement materials will be available upon request, such as braille or large print. For those who do not speak or understand written English we could arrange a virtual drop in session with interpreters to explain the engagement and gather their feedback. Focus groups will be organised with young people. 

Interested members of the public can also ask questions on using the Q&A tool on Your Voice page: www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/connectivity or by using the dedicated email address: connectivity@westyorks-ca.gov.uk.