Leeds Tram Rumours Linked To HS2 Decision

A long-awaited tram system in Leeds could finally get the go-ahead according to a new rumour – but only if the HS2 leg to the city is scrapped.

Ministers are said to be considering scrapping the eastern leg of HS2 on cost grounds, the Mail on Sunday reported, which would come as a blow to those hoping to see high speed rail come to the city, as well as to Sheffield and the Nottingham-Derby area.

However, the consolation would be that funds saved from the culling of the project could be diverted to Leeds to create a tram system, which Sheffield and Nottingham already have.

The government has previously insisted HS2 will go ahead in full, with the project being reviewed after Boris Johnson became prime minister. It has been cited as an environmental benefit by taking cars off the road and curbing internal flights, as well as bringing economic benefits through the government’s ‘levelling up’ agenda.

However, the cost has been a major issue and the report stated this might also lead to a downgrade of part of the plan for Northern Powerhouse Rail, which would bring high-speed connections across the Pennines to Leeds from Manchester and Liverpool.

The suggestion that a tram system may be developed instead is backed by a quote from the paper, where a Whitehall source is said to have remarked: “We are considering improvements to bring Leeds into line with other cities.”

Prime minister Boris Johnson declared it was a “disgrace that Leeds is the largest city in Europe with no proper metro system” in his Conservative Party conference speech last month, a statement that he might be reminded of in years to come if his government does not act to change this.

Scaffolding firms in Leeds would have plenty of work on their hands if the HS2 project does go ahead, not least through the construction of a new station in the city. To lose this would come as a big blow, as would any reduction in the installation of new infrastructure for Northern Powerhouse Rail.

However, if Mr Johnson is planning for Leeds to get a tram system on the basis of the words of his speech, it may be noted that he also said it was a “disgrace that you still can’t swiftly cross the Pennines by rail,” suggesting a clear commitment to this project.

Either way, the construction and scaffolding industries in Leeds would certainly have lots to do laying tracks and installing overhead lines if a tram system was finally developed. Previous plans were scrapped in 2005, but transport chiefs have continued to argue for a system in the city, not least as large areas – such as the entire north-east of the city – have no railway service.

Leeds introduced its original tram system in 1902 and services ended in 1959, several years after many other cities. In between times there was even talk of an underground rail system.

Since then, however, the city has watched on as tram systems emerged in Manchester, Sheffield, Nottingham, the West Midlands, Croydon and – albeit belatedly – Edinburgh, while London got the Docklands Light Railway and Newcastle and Sunderland gained the hybrid underground/light rail Tyne & Wear Metro.

Therefore, it may well be argued that Leeds should get a tram system with or without HS2.

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