The Mayor's Local Transport Plan, sets out how to deliver our long-term vision for transport in the region. It cover buses, trains, future transport modes, walking, wheeling and cycling and how we will improve these through the Weaver Network - a new joined-up transport network for West Yorkshire.
The Mayor's Local Transport Plan sets out how West Yorkshire will deliver better buses, trains, cycling and Mass Transit for everyone across Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds and Wakefield. Consulted on in 2025, it covers all transport modes and sets out how investment decisions will be made across the region for years to come.
At the heart of the Local Transport Plan is the Weaver Network - West Yorkshire's new integrated transport system joining up buses, trains, cycling, walking and future transport modes across the region.
West Yorkshire’s mix of vibrant cities, towns, rural areas, and natural beauty makes it special. But some places are too hard or costly to reach, and fares and information are too complex, which limits opportunities.
That's why we are creating a new joined-up transport network called the Weaver Network, where walking, cycling, and public transport are attractive choices. This will include bring buses back under public control and developing plans for a future Mass Transit system.
The Mayor's West Yorkshire Local Transport Plan sets out the steps to implement the Weaver Network, and help us create a region where everyone can thrive.
Through the Weaver Network our ambition is to make buses as attractive as possible in comparison to private car use. As the most used public transport mode in West Yorkshire, many already rely on buses for work, education, leisure, and social trips, but we can do better. On 14 March 2024, Mayor Tracy Brabin decided to bring buses under local control through franchising. This is the biggest transport shake-up in decades, putting communities at the heart of an integrated network that truly meets their needs.
As West Yorkshire grows, we need to improve capacity, reliability, and accessibility on our local rail networks. This includes better links with buses, walking, cycling, and future transport options through the Weaver Network. We also aim to enhance ticketing, information and interchange facilities to ensure consistency across the West Yorkshire rail network.
Rail is vital for a cleaner, greener and well-connected region. It supports local and inter-regional services and provides an attractive longer-distance service option across the North and the wider UK. Hundreds of thousands depend on it for work, education, leisure, and social trips. We’re committed to making rail travel easier, greener and better for everyone.
This will help people reach town centres, schools and shops safely and more easily – and make the journey more enjoyable. Around two-thirds of journeys are short ones. By boosting sustainable travel we can lower car use, ease traffic, make neighbourhoods more pleasant, and enhance health. This will bring benefits to our places, our environment and our economy.
The Weaver Network will better join up walking, wheeling and cycling with other modes of transport like the bus or train. So you can easily whizz home on a bike after grabbing the train or walk home after your bus journey. Our ambition is to make walking and cycling the most appealing way to travel short distances across West Yorkshire.
As we improve trains, buses, walking, cycling and roads through the Weaver Network, we’re also looking ahead to what else could improve West Yorkshire’s transport offer. That’s why we’re exploring Mass Transit options to take our network even further.
Introducing Mass Transit would add a new mode of travel to complement the rest of the network. It will transform how people move around West Yorkshire - help cut carbon, connect more people with more places, and support a growing, sustainable economy.
Our aim is to provide people better public transport options, so they don’t have to rely on a car to get around. Still, we understand that some people will still need to use them.
Our plans for cars and private transport embrace changes like a robust Electric Vehicle (EV) charging network. This will help reduce the environmental impact of car travel.
We also want to improve the safety of our roads through Vision Zero. This ensures that motorists and other road users feel safer. Our goal is safer journeys, less congestion, quicker travel, and fewer serious accidents, and for everyone to have attractive travel options beyond private vehicles.
The Mayor's Local Transport Plan sets out the steps to implement the Weaver Network. It will benefit people, places and our planet by embedding sustainable transport choices and enabling the economy to grow.
If you need any further support accessing these documents, please contact localtransportplan@westyorks-ca.gov.uk.
The Local Transport Plan outlines key priorities for building a leading transport network. This network will be well-connected, reliable and more sustainable, helping the West Yorkshire economy to grow.
You can view some of the projects currently in progress by visiting our projects page.
