Travel and transport

Emissions baseline

Transport is the second largest Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emitter in Bradford with around 25%. Of this, 96% are from road transport, with minor roads contributing the largest share of emissions followed by A roads.

Transforming travel and transport

Road transport accounts for almost a third of emissions in West Yorkshire and remains the largest emitting sector in the UK. Within Bradford District, Transport accounts for 25% of all emissions, 96% of which are generated from road transport.

Around 45,000 people commute between Bradford and Leeds each day, the largest flow between any two cities in the UK, with 74% of these commuters travelling by car. Across the Bradford district, emissions from road transport are a major source of poor air quality and health.

Public health bodies support the view that actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions often generate net benefits for health.

Around 1 in 5 people live in areas defined as the 10% most deprived in the UK. In some of these neighbourhoods, bus access has decreased and inequality of access to employment and education has there worsened. A stable, franchised, affordable and reliable bus network, supported by bus priority and better passenger facilities can help to reduce inequalities associated with economic background and geographic location.

Transport emissions in Bradford District

Transport uses 24% of all energy in Bradford and 79% of all petroleum products in the local authority area. As petroleum products are the most emissions intensive fuel after coal, and transport is the second largest energy consumer after stationary combustion (domestic and non-domestic), it is vital that we rapidly reduce emissions in this sector.

Decarbonisation of the transport sector will rely on a large-scale modal shift away from private motorised transport to both public transport and active travel.

96% of transport emissions are from road transport, with minor roads contributing the largest share of emissions followed by A roads.

Removing all private vehicles from our roads rapidly is neither feasible nor desirable for many so it is important that there is a shift towards Ultra Low Emission Vehicles (ULEVs).

ULEV uptake has increased significantly in Bradford over the years and accelerated rapidly from around 2020, as shown in the chart below. The most common type of ULEV in Bradford District is the battery electric vehicle, followed by petrol plug-in hybrids, making up 46% and 36% respectively as of 2022. The share of battery electric vehicles is further increasing, having reached 50% as of 2024 Q2, the latest available data at the time of writing.

Travel mode targets

WYCA’s 2040 Transport Strategy (PDF) aims to enhance business success and people’s lives by providing modern, world class, well-connected transport that makes travel around West Yorkshire easy and reliable.

In line with this vision, Bradford Council and partners continue to roll out progressive sustainable transport infrastructure and behavioural change schemes to shift more trips onto public transport, walking, cycling and wheeling to reduce emissions and improve public health.

Mid-point transport targets include:

• 25% more trips made by bus by 2027
• 75% more trips made by rail by 2027
• 300% more trips made by bicycle by 2027