Exclusive:Leeds United: mass transit agreement signed with mayor to boost Elland Road expansion

Plans to bring trams to Leeds United's redeveloped ground as part of a new mass transit network for the city have taken a step closer with a fresh agreement between the club and Mayor Tracy Brabin, The Yorkshire Post can reveal.

On Tuesday, Leeds’ development partner, The Lowy Family Group, Leeds City Council and Ms Brabin’s West Yorkshire Combined Authority will sign a Memorandum of Understanding committing to working together to transform the site around Elland Road.

The Whites recently received planning permission to increase the stadium capacity from 37,645 to a huge 53,000, with the West and North stands being expanded by 2030.

Elland Road’s entire 40-acre site is set to be transformed, with 2,500 new homes, more shops, world-class sports facilities and new public spaces.

Central to this ambition is Ms Brabin’s plans to bring trams back to the streets of Leeds and Bradford, with improved public transport connections supporting the increase in capacity.

In the MoU, the trio commit to working together to help deliver the mass transit network to West Yorkshire, and better connect Elland Road with the city centre.

Peter Lowy, a principal at Lowy Family Group and a Leeds United director, said: “This partnership reflects a shared ambition to deliver long-term transformation for Leeds.

“Over the past year, strong collaboration between all partners has helped turn the vision for Elland Road into real momentum.

“The stadium redevelopment is an important catalyst for the wider regeneration opportunity around Elland Road, creating the potential for new homes, jobs, public spaces and long-term investment in Leeds.

“Mass transit connectivity is fundamental to unlocking that future potential and supporting the continued growth of both the club and the city.”

Coun James Lewis, Leeds City Council’s leader, said: "The progress we’ve made so quickly shows exactly what Leeds can do when we have a clear plan and strong collaboration.

“At every home game I’m looking forward to watching the regeneration move forward before I go through the turnstiles, as we build a new future for Elland Road that everyone in our city can be proud of."

Ms Brabin has staked her reputation on the success of the £2.5bn project, with one of the lines expected to connect Elland Road and the White Rose Centre with central Leeds.

The project has hit a few bumps, with the proposed completion date being pushed back to the late 2030s after Whitehall told the WYCA to change its process.

However, the Government has confirmed that it will back mass transit with funding into the mid 2030s, provided the business case stacks up.

If the strategic outline case is approved later in the year, then pre-development work can start to plan the mass transit network into Elland Road’s designs.

“Leeds United are staying up, and our ambitions for the city couldn’t be higher,” Ms Brabin said.

“This groundbreaking partnership is about turning momentum into real change – new homes, good jobs, and a year-round destination for tourism and growth.

“By working together, we’ll transform Elland Road and the surrounding area into the vibrant, well-connected community that local fans and families need and deserve.

Referencing Government rules which require WYCA to put forward a business case for buses as well, she added: “If that does not make the case for trams, then I don’t know what you need.”

Ms Brabin met with the Prime Minister this week and told The Yorkshire Post that he agreed it was “ridiculous” that it will take until the late 2030s to deliver mass transit.

A Government spokesperson said: “While we do not comment on private discussions, we fully support the Mayor of West Yorkshire’s ambitions for a world class mass transit system for the region, including her ambition for trams and for a start of preparatory works in 2028.”