West Yorkshire

Lore & Background

West Yorkshire was created in 1974 under the Local Government Act 1972, which introduced metropolitan counties for the largest urban areas. It was formed from the central part of the West Riding of Yorkshire and divided into five metropolitan boroughs. Prior to this, the area was part of the administrative County of York, West Riding, with Bradford, Halifax, Huddersfield, and Leeds having been county boroughs under the Local Government Act 1888. The West Yorkshire County Council was abolished in 1986 by the Local Government Act 1985, transferring many powers to the borough councils and creating joint bodies such as the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive.

Reader's Guide

West Yorkshire's significance lies in its industrial past and its role as a densely populated urban centre within the Pennine foothills. The county's coal, wool, and iron ore industries attracted people over centuries, shaping its architecture and landscape. The western part lies in the South Pennines, including a small part of the Peak District National Park, while the eastern boundary edges the Vale of York. The West Yorkshire Combined Authority, established in 2014 and restructured in 2021 with a directly elected mayor, coordinates strategic governance across the five boroughs. The county contains 22 parliamentary constituencies, with 19 held by Labour MPs as of the 2024 general election. Its cultural references include the Brontë family's works set around Haworth and the long-running comedy-drama Last of the Summer Wine.

Did You Know?

• West Yorkshire was created in 1974 from the central part of the West Riding of Yorkshire.
• The county has five metropolitan boroughs: Bradford, Calderdale, Kirklees, Leeds, and Wakefield.
• The West Yorkshire Combined Authority was established in 2014 and gained a directly elected mayor in 2021.
• The county contains a small part of the Peak District National Park in its western area.