Mass Transit Plans to be Scrutinised by Businesses

Mass Transit plans to be scrutinised by businesses

Businesses are being invited to hear about the exciting new plans for mass transit in West Yorkshire.

Due to stretch out across the sub-region between the main urban areas of Bradford, Dewsbury and Leeds, aswell as linking up other communities, the scheme will be a step change in local transport connectivity and boost economic growth and business performance.

West & North Yorkshire Chamber of Commerce is hosting an event that sees the key figures behind the project spell out exactly how it will happen. West Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Luke Albanese and Simon Warburton, plus key figures from Leeds Council and other stakeholders will attend the Chamber event on Wednesday 5 June, 4-6pm, to outline the plans and answer questions.

James Mason/Mark Casci, for the Chamber, said:

“This is going to be an exciting and interesting event, and we advise our members to sign up early to avoid disappointment. Although talks have been underway for some time now on how such an ambitious scheme will be delivered, the key stakeholders now feel that the time is right to be more public about the plans. We’re sure that our members will have lots of questions, and we’re confident this will be a great event.”

Mass transit is often described as a better-performing system of public transport that improves local and sub-regional connectivity for residents, businesses and visitors. In recent years, Leeds has seen previous attempts to create a mass transit system end unsuccessfully.

What: West Yorkshire Mass Transit System

When: Wednesday 5 June, 4-6pm

Where: Arup, 12 Wellington Place, Leeds LS1 4AP

Who: Simon Warburton & Luke Albanese, West Yorkshire Combined Authority; Martin Farrington/Angela Barnicle, Leeds Council; Alastair Gordon, Arup (and Chair of Chamber Transport Group)

Guest Speakers:

Luke Albanese

Joining the Combined Authority in May 2023, Luke was brought in specifically to help deliver a mass transit system for West Yorkshire. A transport planner and railway systems engineer by trade, Luke spent several years with Mott MacDonald before setting up his own consultancy operation.

He has successfully help deliver mass transit systems in several cities across the world, and has said that he is determined to succeed here in West Yorkshire to add another feather in his cap before considering retirement.

Simon Warburton

Simon joined WYCA in May 2023 as Executive Director of Transport. He oversees activity across three directorates, including being closely involved in mass transit and bus franchising.

Simon is bringing his experience from Manchester, where he was Director of Strategy at Transport for Greater Manchester. Despite him being from the ‘wrong side of Pennines, Simon brings extensive experience and knowledge to a key economic growth area, and also has experience of securing devolution deals during his time in Manchester.

Angela Barnicle

Angela has been with Leeds Council since 2017, initially holding the position of Head of Asset Management before taking on Chief Officer, Asset Management & Regeneration for the last six years.

Prior to being with Leeds Council, Angela was with Deloitte, and is a commercial practice surveyor by profession. Angela works closely with land owners and other stakeholders, and is involved in the Chamber’s Property Forum, along with other senior Council officers such as Martin Farrington.

Martin Farrington

Martin has been with Leeds Council for more than 20 years, but his involvement with the city goes back 30-plus years. He has been Director of City Development since 2010, although recently announced that he will retire in September 2024.

Martin has been at the heart of most of the city’s recent successful developments, and has worked closely with the Chamber of Commerce on many schemes, consultations, often via our Property Forums.