Leeds in 1976: What YEP readers thought life in the city would be like in 2026

That was a question posed by your Yorkshire Evening Post in 1976. It resulted in some interesting and amusing replies from readers.

Air car filling stations, entertainment provided almost entirely by 3-D television transmitted directly into the home and most people take their holidays on the moon - which could be reached in three hours by the Leeds Interplanetary Service - were some of the predictions.

The look into the future was provided via a newspaper cutting headlined ‘A peep into the future of a city’ which was sent in by Phil Drake who had been sorting through the contents of his mum’s house following her recent passing.

It brought together letters from readers of their vision for the future.

Peter Watkinson, Great George Street, won a £5 prize for the best letter and even supplied a graphic view of Victoria Square.

He wrote: “Looking towards Westgate, the new arterial roads are festooned with the signposts of the Air Car Filling Stations.

“These have replaced the old Petrol Stations, the garages now being connected with the Municipal Air Service. Pedestrians are strictly confined to their pavements for fear of collision with passing Air Cars.

“This is perhaps a good thing, as the modern pedestrian has grown very absent-minded on account of the telescopic spectacles which everyone now wears. Many of these spectacles are fitted with tiny radar screens enabling the wearer to “see round corners,” but sometimes causing loss of balance and unexpected jolts against lamp-posts.

“The fashionable wear these days is of course anti-gravity clothing, fitted with invisible inflatable supports which enable the wearer to “float along” at a comfortable speed. Concentration is still required however, and a mishap may result in the individual floating skywards if their automatic grounding pin should fail.

“The statue of Queen Victoria has been removed to make way for the new Administrative Block. This building rises to a height of 500 feet and accommodates 5,000 civil servants, all of whom travel to work by moving pavement.”

An underground city

“Beneath the surface, Leeds is now a complete underground city with shops, restaurants and moving walkways. Plastic tunnels connect every district and are all centrally heated.

“The great traffic problem has long been solved by banning all surface vehicles except the Air Cars. Goods vehicles now run on overhead monorails, and all deliveries are dropped by parachute through special roof hatches in every building.

“A new system of drainage has been introduced, and the River Aire now flows in a transparent plastic tube about 20 feet above ground level.

“This has proved a considerable attraction to visitors who gaze with wonder at the illuminated fish which swim past at night.”

Health and diet

“Medical research has eliminated most diseases. People now live on scientifically-produced tablets which include all the necessary vitamins and calories for a day’s work. Solid meals are rarely eaten, except by a dwindling number of “old-fashioned” citizens who still insist on meat and potatoes.

“Entertainment is provided almost entirely by 3-D television transmitted directly into the home. Most people take their holidays on the moon, which can now be reached in three hours by the Leeds Interplanetary Service.”

Weather or not…

“Meteorologists no longer attempt long-range forecasts. The weather is now controlled from a central station by means of giant mirrors placed in orbit around the earth. Rain is supplied as required, though occasionally a breakdown in the system results in unexpected downpours over the city centre.”