Sunrise Radio

Following Transport Minister Sadiq Khan's announcement that the UK's first trolleybus scheme in Leeds has been given Programme Entry status from Government, Regional Development Agency Yorkshire Forward praised the announcement.

Mike Bridge, Assistant Director at Yorkshire Forward, said: “We welcome the Government’s announcement that they share the city’s vision for Leeds's Next Generation Transport (NGT) – the region has recognised the need for significant improvements to public transport in the city for many years, and we hope it will be implemented as soon as possible.

“The Leeds NGT will provide a high quality, highly segregated, rapid transit service with high capacity, greater reliability and faster journey times in and out of Leeds City Centre than existing bus Park and Ride services.

“It will provide a step change in the quality of public transport in Leeds and an attractive alternative to private car travel, which would also lead to a reduction in carbon emissions and improved local air quality.

“The scheme will maximise the Leeds economy by enhancing its competitive position and encouraging future employment and population growth. It will also improve City Centre accessibility from some of the more deprived areas of Leeds, and enable improved access to opportunities and an improved quality of life.”

Welcoming the announcement that the Government has now agreed ‘Programme Entry Approval’ for the proposed Leeds New Generation Transport (NGT) trolleybus network, and the new southern entrance for Leeds Station Metro Chairman Cllr Ryk Downes said,

“These two important transport developments will provide a major economic boost to the Leeds City Region.

“NGT will mean quicker journeys into and around Leeds, which will in turn result in new jobs and business opportunities for people across West Yorkshire and beyond,” he continued.

“Metro and Leeds City Council are determined that the vital east link to St James’s Hospital and city centre loop will go ahead and will be investigating ways in which the £15m needed to complete them can be raised.

“The new station entrance will improve access for the thousands of people using the station who travel to and from the fast-growing south of the city centre,” he added.

“The NGT Trolleybus network has the potential to tackle congestion and reduce the city’s carbon footprint,” said Cllr Andrew Carter, Joint Leader of Leeds City Council.

“It will speed the Leeds City Region’s recovery from recession, boost its economy and enhance its ability to compete on the national and international stage.

He continued, “The new southern entrance to the station will create a faster, accessible route to the vibrant areas to the south of the city centre such as Holbeck Urban Village, Bridgewater Place, the riverside and canal basin.

Having gained ‘Programme Entry Approval’ the NGT project team can now begin the formal process for obtaining the legal powers needed to operate a modern trolleybus network. The powers will be sought through a 'Transport and Works Act Order' this Autumn, followed by a Public Inquiry in 2011, and construction could then begin in 2013 with the UK’s first new trolleybuses operating by 2016.

Details of the planned NGT trolleybus network can be found at www.ngtmetro.com and details of the southern entrance are on Metro’s web site at www.wymetro.com