WSP named development partner in transformation of bus infrastructure across Leeds

The Leeds office of WSP, the global professional services and engineering consultancy, has been appointed by Leeds City Council as the development partner to take forward plans to transform the city’s bus infrastructure.

This project is part of the council’s Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme (LPTIP).

As development partner, WSP will progress existing concepts developed by the council that set out how the Government-allocated £173.5m should be spent.

The council and the West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) submitted a Strategic Outline Case (SOC) to the DfT to secure the funding which was approved in April 2017. The £173.5m is likely to be supplemented with private sector investment, worth around £100m.

The DfT has stated that schemes to be delivered from the £173.5m must be substantially complete by 2020/21.

WSP will provide a range of consultancy and engineering services to ensure the programme is developed and delivered on time. These include scheme identification and selection; feasibility and preliminary design and supporting the council’s Leeds transport strategy team on the engagement with the public and stakeholders on the scheme proposals.

The team will put together an Outline Business Case submission and offer project and programme support and planning application submissions where required.

Adrian Hames, director at WSP, commented: “This is a significant win for WSP as it brings together public and private sector clients to deliver a major infrastructure project.

“We will harness our experience on a range of transport schemes, which includes our role as delivery partner on the TfGM Metrolink extension, and our detailed local knowledge to support the council throughout the lifecycle of the project from advisory through to delivery.”

“In light of the Transport Secretary’s recent call to action for the North to ‘take control’ of transport improvements, this is a great example of Leeds taking the lead to deliver a major step change in the quality of its public transport system.

’It will also play a vital role in better connecting the city in advance of other major infrastructure upgrades across the North including HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail.“

Adrian Kemp, director at WSP in Leeds, added: “WSP has been a longstanding ambassador of the ambitious plans presented by the city and wider city region.

“In February 2017, we hosted an event, ‘Transport and Infrastructure: What’s Next for Leeds?’ in which senior Leeds representatives including Leader of LCC, Cllr Judith Blake and Chief Executive, Tom Riordan, joined WSP to promote opportunities for transport investment.

“We have now provided the Council with a team that has the expertise to develop a city-wide bus transport system that is supportive of Leeds’s ambition of becoming the best city in UK.”

Councillor Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council executive member for regeneration, transport and planning, also said: “We are very pleased to be working with WSP to develop our plans to significantly upgrade the bus network serving Leeds and the surrounding areas.

“Bus travel has a key role to play in our ambitious new Leeds transport strategy, and we have set the target of doubling bus passenger numbers in Leeds in the next 10 years which is achievable if we all work together to deliver the best public transport network possible.”

Leeds City Council will appoint a deliver partner by spring 2018.

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