Leeds

Work is ‘already underway’ on new tram system in Leeds, confirms Mayor of West Yorkshire

"Yes, I can promise you because we're already underway."

Sophie Smith Sophie Smith - 16th January 2023

The mayor confirmed that "work already underway" live on air.

In an interview with BBC Radio Leeds, Mayor of West Yorkshire, Tracy Brabin made the promise to get 'spades in the ground' on a mass transit system by the time she leaves her role as mayor.

At present, Leeds is the largest city in Western Europe without a built-in transport system, after the past transit system that ran across the city from 1871 – 1959, using a combination of horse-drawn, steam and electric trams over time, was deemed unaffordable by the City Council following the Second World War, they ultimately closed.

tram on a track with shops in the background.
The mayor confirmed that "work already underway" in an interview with BBC Radio Leeds last week. / Image: Unsplash

Naturally, it's been a talking point ever since (so much so it became a bit of an April Fool's joke last year) and this is not the first time Leeds has been promised a new tram network.

"We're definitely going to see spades in the ground on mass transit before I end up not being mayor...we're looking at surface, so trams", said Mayor of West Yorkshire to BBC Radio Leeds.

"The technology, we want to be ahead of the game we want the best tech, the most innovative , the greenest , the cleanest and also the cheapest. So we're going to have an amazing system."

"It's a long haul but I'm in for it"

Trams have been a talking point in Leeds for as long as anyone can remember. / Image: Unsplash

BBC Radio Leeds Breakfast Presenter Rima Ahmed pushed the mayor to confirm, asking "Is this a promise that you can make us then, by the time that you are no longer mayor Tracy Brabin, whenever that might be, that we have spades in the ground to get going on the mass transport system?"

Tracy responded: "Yes, I can promise you because we're already underway."

"I can't promise that the government are going to continue giving us the funding, it's a £2 billion project, we have £200 million currently to start the work, but I am pressing government to confirm that, whoever is the government, that they will continue investing in mass transit."

Plans for a network across the city centre have been going on for quite some time, including back in 2021 when it was briefly reported that ministers could consider an inner-city tram network instead of HS2.

There was even a Leeds Supertram plan that was scrapped in 2005 by the Transport Secretary after budget issues, but the proposed track would have served the inner city, both Universities and Headingley.

Leeds supertram plans were disbanded in 2005 but the plans are still available online. / Image: Open Street Map

The three lines would have run from Tingley, Bodington and Grimes Dyke and joined in the city centre at stations on Albion Street, Eastgate, Boar Lane and City Square. 

Back in 2019, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said it was “madness that Leeds should be the largest city in Europe with no metro rail system”.

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It is thought that over time more plans will be revealed about the new mass transit system that Tracy Brabin spoke of in this interview.

Feature Image- Unsplash

Leeds

A massive food and drink festival is coming to Temple Newsam this weekend

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

We hope you're hungry Leeds, because a big festival dedicated to all things food is coming to Temple Newsam.

The Temple Newsam Food Festival is now in its second year after a resounding first edition, aiming to celebrate cultural diversity, independent businesses, and global cuisine.

It will take place this weekend on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August 2026, with the beautiful and historic Temple Newsam providing the perfectly picturesque location.

The festival will celebrate local talent, independent businesses, world cultures and international flavours.

The Street Food Arena will feature an array of global cuisines, cultural delicacies, and irresistible desserts whilst the event's bustling Artisan Markets will showcase a plethora of small businesses and local entrepreneurs offering freshly-baked goods, quality produce. hand-made crafts, unique experiences, vibrant art, and much more.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

And it doesn't stop there as festival-goers can enjoy a selection of independent bars serving cocktails, specialty spirits, fresh cider, wine and beer.

This year there will be a huge focus on live cookery demos, with ten demonstrations from a whole range of talented chefs including Leeds' own Josh Whitehead of Finer Pleasures, Bobby Geetha of Kerala Canteen and stars from Masterchef and The Great British Bake Off.

And it's not just about food and drink, as new for this year there will be a dog show, plenty of live music and lots of fun activities such as inflatable jousting and target paintball.

Tickets are on sale now, and you can grab yours here.

Read more from The Hoot Leeds:

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

Leeds

The hidden Leeds bakery serving giant cheese twists, pickle sausage rolls and chocolate focaccia

Clementine Hall Clementine Hall

This spot in the city is baking up some weird and wonderful creations.

But you'll have to act fast if you want to get your hands on them, as it's only open one day a week for all your doughy desires.

Introducing Fold, a focaccia-focused bakery by the talented team behind The Cheesy Living Co.

Rewind to this time last year and with three restaurants flourishing across Leeds, the team needed a space to bake all their bread and sweet treats in-house to supply to sites.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

And this is where Fold came in, located underneath the arches of Brussels Street on the outskirts of the city centre - it may take a while to find this spot but once you have, it'll be worth it.

And they're making some of the most inventive bakes that we've seen.

Of course there'll always be a focaccia on offer, with flavours ranging from crispy chilli oil, sesame and spring onion to kimchi, cheese and pistachio.

Images: The Hoot Leeds

And it's not just savoury focaccia, you'll even find gooey chocolate and banana focaccia as well as Biscoff waffle focaccia....yep, seriously.

Elsewhere they specialise in gigantic footlong cheese twists with more crispy bits than soft, as well as chorizo and cheese stuffed sausage rolls and a range of freshly baked bagels for you to go home and smear in your cream cheese of choice.

Image: The Hoot Leeds

Some seriously spectacular specials have been the gochujang cookies and the 'pickle roll', basically like a sausage roll but with...pickles.

It seems there's really no boundaries for where these bakes will go, and you can guarantee that every visit will be different than the rest.

Only open on Saturdays from 10am - 1pm, Fold are changing the baking game. Pop in and say hello, you won't be disappointed.

Read more: Everything we ate and drank at Dishoom Leeds – one of the city’s hottest new openings

Featured image - The Hoot Leeds

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