In response to the recent Leeds City Council transport consultation, Rachel has been working with the Council leadership to secure the best possible investment in west Leeds over the next few years.   

Rachel wrote to the leader of Leeds City Council, Councillor Judith Blake, to set out in detail the thoughts of local people who have contacted Rachel about what is needed to improve transport in the constituency. A copy of this letter and Cllr Blake’s reply is at the end of this article. 

On receiving the response to her letter, Rachel said

“I am really pleased that Leeds City Council recognise the views of all the constituents who contacted me about transport in west Leeds.

“The response from Judith Blake really shows that Leeds City Council are committed to both listening to residents and delivering real change on an issue that affects everyone in the city. I look forward to working with the Council further to secure investment that will mean better transport links and facilities.

“Central Government now needs to understand that they must ensure parity of funding for projects in the North, especially further investment to improve existing infrastructure in west Leeds. I have been told by the Under Secretary of State for Transport, Paul Maynard MP, that long-awaited improvements to accessibility at Headingley station are to go ahead in spite of a deferment of some projects in the Access for All programme. You can read the letter I received at the end of this article. 

“I welcome this news but will continue to press the Government to step up and deliver for Leeds. Only then might they finally put their vision of a ‘Northern Powerhouse’ into something that actually works for my constituents.”