Leeds is a city of innovation, ambition, and economic opportunity. Yet, despite its strengths, it faces a challenge. Today, only 38% of residents can reach the city centre within 30 minutes by public transport. Travel between suburbs is even more limited, isolating communities and making urban life less attractive for those who want more than just a place to work. This accessibility gap is not just a transport issue – it’s a productivity drain, costing the local economy £2.8 billion in 2022 alone.

As the largest city in Western Europe without a mass transit system, Leeds is a step behind comparable cities of size like Marseille, where 87% of residents can reach the city centre in 30 minutes. Leeds’ future hinges on overcoming these barriers and designing a connected, climate-resilient city that prioritises people over cars. 

Hearing from industry leaders  

To explore these issues further, we hosted a roundtable at our Leeds studio and invited key stakeholders who have a voice in Leeds’ transport and connectivity. Hosted by Leah Stuart, our director in Leeds, we heard their visions for a future Leeds, and insights on how we can overcome the biggest barriers, how to make the city more connected and the value of this, climate resilience, green infrastructure, and putting people at the heart of masterplans.  

The roundtable brought together city leaders, planners, designers, and transport specialists to discuss solutions, including:  

• Adam Brannen, Head of regeneration at Leeds City Council 

• Simon Pope, Director for Transport Capital Programmes at West Yorkshire Combined Authority 

• Dr David Swann, Research Fellow at Royal College of Art 

• Vicky Casey, Architect Director & Leeds Studio Lead at BDP 

• Mark Harris, Director, Avison Young 

Their conclusions were clear: 

• Transport planning must move beyond infrastructure and focus on economic growth, climate resilience, and social inclusion. 

• Investment in sustainable transport is about creating a healthier, more equitable society, it’s much more than simply shortening people’s commutes, it creates a thriving society.  

• Decision-making must shift from short-term funding cycles to long-term, locally-led solutions that drive transformation. 

 

Barriers to connectivity  

1. A fragmented transport network 

Leeds’ current transport system is mainly radial, focusing on routes into the city centre while neglecting effective connections between outer districts and suburbs. This design forces residents to travel into the city centre before reaching another suburb, increasing reliance on cars for essential journeys like school runs and hospital visits. 

“Leeds is lacking a focussed orbital strategy for public transport, it is quite hard to navigate between outer communities, which then leads people to thinking they need a car,” remarked Vicky Casey. 

 

2. Funding and policy restrictions

Unlike cities in France or Germany, where new tram systems can be planned, funded, and built within six years, Leeds has to navigate more centralised decision-making, complex planning requirements and short-term funding cycles, all of which can contribute towards longer timescales for delivery. 

“We’re still far too centralised when it comes to funding. We talk about pots of money and integrated settlements, but ultimately, they’re all determined by central government. What we really need is more fiscal devolution,” explained Mark Harris.  

“I think that challenge is compounded, because not only is decision making highly centralised in this country, once you get to the centre it’s also fragmented,” added Adam Brannen. 

This lack of financial autonomy means projects are either delayed, watered down, or simply don’t happen at all. Comparisons with Germany highlight inefficiencies, with UK transport projects costing up to four times more per mile than their German counterparts. 

“Although the Combined Authority gets a block grant, the purse strings are pulled by central government, so what is required is more fiscal devolution as seen other parts of Europe,” 

“If you compare us to Marseille, 38% of people in Leeds can reach the centre within 30 minutes, versus 87% in Marseille. That gap translates to a 20% productivity difference,” pointed out Mark Harris. 

 

3. Cultural and behavioural barriers to change

Deeply ingrained mindsets around transport can slow progress, even when infrastructure improves. Car ownership remains a status symbol, and parking spaces are still seen as key drivers of property value. 

“By designing services collaboratively with people and aligning them with their values and emotions, new sustainable travel options can create experiences and environments where sustainable travel becomes the default choice, not the exception,” emphasised David Swann. 

“We plan our whole transport systems around commuting because that’s seen as having the biggest economic value. But what about all the other journeys – school runs, hospital visits, social trips? Those need to be considered just as much,” reflected Leah Stuart. 

The social value still linked with car ownership is evidence of this barrier to change. The same property without a car parking space is valued less than a property with one.   

“The starting point would be to reduce the need to travel by car in the first place, or create a compact and connected city where you have access to everything you need on a daily, weekly basis, and something outside of the district is an exceptional trip,” remarked Adam Brannen.  

“We need to make public transport as convenient as jumping in your car – that’s the real challenge,” said Simon Pope. 

 

A people-first approach to transport in Leeds 

1. Mass transit as a catalyst for growth

A well-planned mass transit system could unlock development, attract investment, and significantly improve mobility across the city. 

“Mass transit isn’t just an engineering project – the point is to have an impact on the places it serves,” said Adam Brannen. 

Leeds must learn from global best practices, such as Stockholm and Vienna, where integrated housing and transport policies have driven urban success. Central to this is the principle of transit-oriented development (TOD), which links compact, high-density neighbourhoods with efficient public transport to reduce car dependency and boost economic viability. Using transit to drive placemaking – by designing transport hubs that double as community spaces, incorporating healthcare, retail, and green areas – is essential. To make this sustainable, we must ensure long-term funding through mechanisms like tax increment financing (TIF) and local investment models, rather than relying solely on government grants. 

“Mass transit is more than just a transport scheme. It’s an opportunity to completely, change the dynamic in terms of what the city is capable of,” reiterated Simon Pope. 

 

2. Prioritising active and inclusive travel

While mass transit is critical, it must be complemented by improved orbital bus and cycle routes, safer streets, and fully accessible transport for all. By prioritising walking, cycling, and wheeling, we can reduce car dependency and reclaim urban areas for people, creating healthier and more engaging public spaces. 

“Mass transit isn’t just about capacity. It’s about designing a system that makes people’s lives better,” said Leah Stuart. 

“Mass transit could finally bring level access to the UK rail network—enabling true independent living for those who need it,” added Vicky Casey 

“If you get the health outcomes right, you probably get everything right,” said Adam Brannen. 

 

Redesigning decision-making 

Leeds needs to shift from fragmented, centralised decision-making to a locally controlled model where investment is made strategically and holistically. Public health, climate resilience, and economic growth must be treated as interconnected priorities rather than separate policy areas. 

“The frustrating thing is you get to look at many different visions for a project, but the one you finally deliver is constrained by whichever funding pot eventually comes your way. We don’t use our full potential to lobby between political cycles for what’s best for the city,” said Vicky Casey. 

The roundtable made it clear: Leeds has the vision, expertise, and ambition to build a world-class transport network. But achieving this will require a shift in funding structures, a commitment to integrated transport planning, and a cultural change in how transport is viewed. 

“While different sectors and stakeholders across the city share this ambition, they often speak with a different vocabulary and using a different language – and it’s about making sure it’s all aligned,” remarked Adam Brannen. 

“We must keep having these important conversations and work together to overcome these barriers,” concluded Leah Stuart.