FAQs

A shared transport hub brings together shared transport, such as bike hire, with public transport and facilities to support active travel – walking and cycling - in spaces designed to improve the public realm for all.  

Shared transport hubs often integrate buses, bicycles, scooters, and car club services to provide a range of transport options. 

The locations being considered in Otley have been chosen due to their closeness to the bus station, which is around a three to five minute walk.

Shared transport hubs aim to encourage more shorter journeys to be made by sustainable modes of transport, such as walking or cycling. In this way, they help to reduce congestion, improve air quality and health, and make it easier to get around.

Shared transport hubs can include improved interchange facilities, walking and cycling infrastructure, real-time information, accessibility features, and sometimes retail spaces and community facilities. 

Most shared transport hubs provide real-time information through digital signage and paper-based timetables. Shared transport hubs will also include maps to show where you can pick up bus or rail services in the local area. 

No, shared transport hubs are designed to cater to a variety of transport modes. They provide amenities for people walking and cycling, and users of various modes of transport, including bus, rail and shared modes including cycle hire and car club. 

Yes, one of the main goals of shared transport hubs is to promote sustainable transport options, reduce reliance on individual car ownership, and encourage the use of public transport and alternative modes of travel. 

Better directional signage and maps will enable people to easily walk between the shared transport hub and bus station. This walk would take approximately three to five minutes. We would look into providing more benches along the route to improve opportunities to rest, and signage and mapping would be designed to accessible standards.

Yes, shared transport hubs often include parking facilities for various modes of transport, including bicycles, scooters, and car club. 

Shared transport hubs contribute to sustainable urban or town development by offering different options so that people can leave their car at home for shorter journeys, helping to reduce congestion and our impact on the environment, improving air quality and creating a more connected and accessible environment

There is also evidence that when people walk or cycle to local shops they spend more money, supporting local businesses and growing the economy.  

Most shared transport hubs will connect with at least one form of public transport, such as a bus service, dependent on location.

We are keen that the hub is able to provide links with the existing bus station and the North Parade and Courthouse Street car parks are the nearest location where space could be available within a short walking distance.

We are planning to carry out occupancy surveys to understand current use of both North Parade and Courthouse Street car parks, which will help to inform the proposals. The impact on either car park would depend on the types of facilities the survey suggests people would like to use, and any other adjacent land that might be available for the Shared Transport Hub. We’re looking to minimise the loss of parking spaces and we envisage the future facilities would take a maximum of two or three spaces. 

Following the consultation, we will be working on detailed designs and further feasibility for the hub. This will take into account feedback received from the public on the facilities that they would like to see included. There will be the opportunity to take part in further consultation on the final plans. 

Construction of the scheme is projected to commence in winter 2025/26. 

Consultation on locations for shared transport hubs in Calderdale was carried out in 2023 and the results have helped to shape the facilities proposed. These are now being developed and further consultation with stakeholders and the public will take place during 2024. 

The scheme is reviewed through sequenced decision gateways in the Assurance Process of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. There are four business case decision points within this assurance process. At each stage, recommendations on the scheme are made by an officer-based appraisal team to the relevant committee(s) of elected members. So far, the scheme has currently passed through three of the four decision points. 

Funding for the scheme has been secured through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) which West Yorkshire Combined Authority administers to allow both Leeds and Calderdale Councils to start developing and promoting the sites proposed. This has allowed us to undertake initial studies and business case development, optioneering and outline designing. This project has secured Combined Authority approval at the Strategic Outline Case stage and is currently working towards Full Business Case.  

The consultation period will take place from 8 January until 4 February 2024. Members of the public can have their say via www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/OtleyHub or email yourvoice@westyorks-ca.gov.uk. We are keen to hear from residents, businesses, and anyone travelling in this area.  

Posters and flyers will be distributed in Otley, with members of the project team attending drop-in events at Otley Market Place. Anyone who cannot access the survey online and needs to request an alternative format can contact MetroLine on 0113 245 7676. 

Paper copies will also be made available at Otley Community Hub and Library. These can be returned to a Freepost address.

We welcome opinions and feedback from all members of the public. Whether you travel by public transport, walk, drive, or cycle, are a resident, business owner, or just travel through the area, your views, opinions and insights are valuable to us to shape the project.

Please share the link www.yourvoice.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/OtleyHub with anyone you think would be interested in taking part. If you intend to submit a joint response on behalf of a group/organisation, please share the link with your colleagues/members so they can provide an individual response, should they wish to do so.  

Residents and businesses likely to be affected by any future construction works would be contacted directly closer to the time of works starting. 

The scheme is funded by the West Yorkshire Combined Authority through the Department for Transport’s City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS). 

The funding awarded for CRSTS schemes by the Department for Transport is capital funding and can only be spent on the schemes for which it was awarded within the CRSTS bid. This means CRSTS funding cannot be reallocated to be spent elsewhere. 

The programme is being delivered in phases. It is expected that all projects will be completed by the end of March 2027. 

It will build on the significant investment already made through the Combined Authority’s other programmes, such as the Transforming Cities Fund, the West Yorkshire-plus Transport Fund, and Levelling Up Fund.