THE first steps towards a new tram network serving Bradford and the Leeds City Region will be on the agenda at a Bradford Council meeting next week.

The Executive Committee will discuss a report outlining the steps towards a mass transit scheme on Tuesday, December 4.

The City Region Transit Network would bring significant benefits to Bradford, linking up the Interchange and Forster Square railway stations, and also providing a new stop in Laisterdyke connecting Bradford and Leeds, and a stop in Low Moor which would continue on the Kirklees.

The report aims to address the economic and transport challenges facing West Yorkshire, and how to maximise the benefits of HS2.

It suggests that by transforming the connectivity of communities in the district with greatest economic need would help boost productivity, living standards, deliver inclusive growth and also improve air quality.

An update on the Leeds-Bradford corridor, looking at the best routes between the city centre and the airport, will also be provided along with updates on the Northern Powerhouse Rail hub in the city centre and the redevelopment of Bradford Interchange and Forster Square stations.

Councillor Alex Ross-Shaw, executive member for regeneration, planning and transport, said: “We are working with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority to look how connectivity in the Bradford district can be improved.

“The proposed mass transit scheme is in the early stages of development but show the scale of our ambition in ensuring Bradford and the wider district has a transport network fit for the 21st century that can take full advantage of a city centre station for Northern Powerhouse Rail.

“Transforming connectivity in the communities of greatest economic need will help raise productivity, living standards and improve air quality and help to deliver Inclusive Growth in the district.”

Other priorities which will be discussed at the meeting include investment in bus services, investment in walking and cycling infrastructure, the development of Apperley Bridge railway station as an airport gateway, and highways investment in areas such as Tong Street and the Harrogate Road/New Line junction.