High Speed Rail UK

With a population of around 3million, Leeds is the regional capital for Yorkshire and the Humber. The city of Leeds provides work for over 400,000 employees, the highest level of employees in any district in the North and the third-highest in England. It is recognised as a major economic driver for the North, contributing 5 per cent of national GVA and is now the largest financial and legal centre outside London.

Following the announcement of its new city region forerunner status in the Budget, Leeds now has the capacity to deliver even more, and high-speed rail will be an essential component of the vision to transform competitiveness and narrow the gap in economic output.

Located at the intersection of the strategic North-South corridor between Edinburgh and London and the East-West Trans-Pennine corridor, and at the heart of the Northern Way, Leeds and the wider Leeds city region is well placed to connect with other cities, international airports and ports.

Covering an area of 5,700sq km, which encompasses Barnsley, Bradford, Calderdale, Craven, Harrogate, Kirklees, Leeds, Selby, Wakefield and York, and comprising the densely networked, interconnected cities and districts within west, south and north Yorkshire, the Leeds city region represents a naturally functioning economic space for knowledge-based industries.

The Regional Spatial Strategy for the region identifies the Leeds city region as its most significant economic driver, representing the greatest potential for economic growth and set to accommodate 60 per cent of the region’s growth in jobs and households for the next 15 to 20 years.

“If Leeds and the wider city region is to reach its full potential in terms of being the main economic driver for the Yorkshire and Humber Region, improved transport connectivity including high speed reliable rail links will be vital. The routes between the Leeds city region and London include some of the fastest-growing rail markets in the UK and play a key role in the attractiveness of the city region for investment.”

Councillor Andrew Carter, joint Leader of Leeds City Council and chair of the Leeds City Region Transport Panel