Business of the House

Mark Sewards Excerpts

Thursday 12th February 2026 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend is a doughty campaigner for his constituents, and I am genuinely sorry to hear of the case that he raises. He understands that road closures can greatly impact local communities and businesses, particularly in rural areas. I know that he has raised this matter with the Department for Transport, and I will ensure that he gets a response.

[Mark Sewards (Leeds South West and Morley) (Lab)]

On Tuesday, I joined civic leaders in Leeds, and Leeds United football club, in celebrating the £650 million expansion of Elland Road stadium. It will bring enormous benefits to my part of Leeds, including jobs and opportunities. It will also ensure that those of us who have been on the season ticket waiting list for years can finally buy a ticket. Much more importantly, parallel to that project is the West Yorkshire mass transit project, which has the potential to amplify and extend those benefits to all the people of Leeds. Will the Leader of the House grant an urgent debate in Government time on ensuring that the Leeds, Bradford and West Yorkshire tram, including stations in my constituency and others, is delivered ahead of schedule and on budget, so that all the people of Leeds can benefit from this investment?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

As my hon. Friend points out, sport is an important part of the economy for our local communities, and that is why there is a commitment to such investment. This Government are committed to improving transport in the north. The Transport Secretary is working closely with the West Yorkshire Mayor to ensure that we deliver a mass-transport system. Should my hon. Friend seek a Westminster Hall debate on the subject, I am sure that colleagues from his region would join him in doing so. If he seeks a meeting with a Minister, I will facilitate that.