West Yorkshire transport consultation enters ninth week.

West Yorkshire transport consultation continues

Improving transport networks and developing an attractive, efficient and affordable Metro-style public transport system that people will want to use not only supports the economy but also helps improve the local environment.

Poor air quality and increased levels of traffic related pollutants have been recognised nationally to be a significant problem along busy routes. They can lead to health problems for pedestrians, cyclists and those living along heavily used roads. Young children can be at even greater risk as pollution increases closer to the ground. This problem exists along busy routes right across West Yorkshire.�

Cleaner, greener

Developing a transport system and a bus service network that combats this and delivers a cleaner, greener and healthier future is a key element of the Combined Authority�s work.

The Combined Authority wants local people to help it develop those cleaner networks that will benefit them, their children and their children�s children by taking part in its three-month YourTravelYourSay consultation.

Find out more about YourTravelYourSay and take part in the consultation.�

Drop Ins

Drop-in sessions are being held across West Yorkshire as part of the consultation, in week 9 of the process, events are taking place in Ossett, Leeds, Bradford, Brighouse, Huddersfield, Hemsworth and Shepley. They are at:

  • Ossett Bus Station, Tuesday 13 September, 10:30 - 13:30�
  • Bradford Interchange / Rail Station, Tuesday 13 September, 16:00 - 19:00
  • Brighouse Bus Station, Wednesday 14 September 10:30 - 13:30
  • Leeds Bus Station, Thursday 15 September, 07:30 - 10:30
  • Huddersfield Bus Station, Thursday 15 September, 16:00 - 19:00
  • Hemsworth Bus Station/Tesco, Friday 16 September, 10:30 - 13:30
  • Shepley Library and Information Centre, Friday 16 September, 14:00 - 17:00. �

Find out more about YourTravelYourSay and take part in the consultation.��

West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Chair Cllr Keith Wakefield said:

��The Combined Authority has been actively involved for some time in the ongoing reduction of our region�s carbon emissions to help deliver, cleaner, greener transport which can bring long term benefits for our population.

�Recognising the important role transport can play in improving people's health, West Yorkshire Combined Authority has already fitted its entire fleet of 165 yellow school buses with clean bus technology and later this year our fleet of 33 Access Buses will also go green.

Working with partners

�We are also working with partners to develop a Low Emission Strategy to benefit people in those West Yorkshire areas experiencing poor air quality, which is in line with the target of developing Clean Energy and Environmental Resilience in our Strategic Economic Plan for the City Region.

�Passengers using our highly popular Elland Road Park and Ride service and travelling by bus into Leeds City Centre who are already helping Leeds� environment and economy by leaving their cars and travelling by bus into Leeds City Centre and the new Leeds Temple Green Park and Ride, due to open in spring 2017 will increase this activity.

�I would encourage everyone to take part in this survey and have a say in our region�s future transport but I would particularly encourage young people to get involved and take the time to visit www.yourtravelyoursay.co.uk or come to one of our drop in events and let us have their views and ideas as the decisions taken now will impact on their future lives and well-being�.

Helping to reduce pollution and improve air qualtity

West Yorkshire Combined Authority�s and its partners� YourTravelYourSay consultations are aimed at improving the county�s bus services and wider transport network and one of the aims is to help reduce pollution and make our roads and streets cleaner and greener for today�s and future generations.

The Combined Authority is already using a range of transport measures to combat poor air quality as well as support local economic growth and job creation. Clean bus technology, cycling and walking schemes, ultra-low emission vehicles (ULEVs) and 20mph zones are among the initiatives being employed. And a West Yorkshire Low Emission Strategy is being developed to deliver health benefits.

Other measures to reduce the impact of transport on air quality have included the 'greening' of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority's entire My Bus fleet. All 165 of the yellow school buses have been fitted with clean bus technology creating the largest, greenest fleet of school buses in the UK after a successful, �1m bid for Department for Transport (DfT) Clean Bus Technology funding.

Please give us your views

�Over half of the 79 planned drop-in sessions have now taken place, and well over 3,000 questionnaires have been completed, in person or online at www.yourtravelyoursay.co.uk. but we�d still like to hear from as many of you as possible.

Regular updates and reminders on when and where the drop-in sessions are taking place are posted on social media. Twitter: @yrtravelyrsay and @WestYorkshireCA and Facebook Yourtravelyoursay as well as at www.yourtravelyoursay.co.uk .

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