Government blocks £250m Leeds trolleybus scheme
THE £250m Leeds trolleybus scheme has been rejected following a public inquiry.
The plans have been blocked by Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin after a planning inspector rejected the case for the project.
The government has pledged that the £173m contribution it was to make to the scheme will still be spent in the city.
The proposed Leeds New Generation Transport trolleybus system (NGT) Line One would have connected key Leeds locations, including its universities, the First Direct Arena, LGI, Trinity Leeds, Brewery Wharf and New Dock along its 14.8km route.
In a statement, the Department for Transport said: “After a full public inquiry, the independent planning inspector produced a detailed report which said the Leeds Trolleybus system is not suitable for development.
“We have carefully considered the findings and accepted the clear recommendation. We are disappointed the local authorities cannot proceed with the Trolleybus but £173 million of DfT funding will be retained so the right public transport scheme in Leeds can be developed as quickly as possible. We will now fully support Leeds City Council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority on those next steps as the government continues to invest in Yorkshire and helps deliver the Northern Powerhouse.”
West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee chairman Keith Wakefield said: “Today’s news is a frustrating reminder that despite the government’s emphasis on devolution, we still find ourselves subject to decisions made remotely in Whitehall on local matters.
“Developing NGT in line with government advice and complying with the Department for Transport’s lengthy approval process since 2007 has cost approaching £27m. However, land acquired for the scheme has a value of around £10m and we will now review which sites can be released so that the proceeds can be invested in transport improvements and initiatives to support economic growth.
“The announcement that the £173.5m committed for NGT has been ring-fenced for public transport investment in Leeds does mean we can build upon our key achievements, such as the new Apperley Bridge rail station and Leeds Station Southern Entrance, which are already in place, and the new Kirkstall Forge and Low Moor stations, due to open soon.”
He added: “We are already demonstrating this through our 10-year, £1bn Transport Fund programme of strategic transport schemes designed to accelerate growth and create up to 20,000 jobs, funded through our City Region Growth Deal.
“And we are committed to developing a fully integrated metro-style transport system for the City Region with tram train at its heart and will now work with government to make that a reality.”
Combined authority chairman Peter Box added: “This is bad news for Leeds, West Yorkshire and the Leeds City Region.
“We need to be able to press ahead with the development of a metro-style system with integrated rail, tram train and light rail, bus, cycling and walking networks designed to meet local people’s needs and underpin the economic growth and job creation across the City Region.
“We have the ambition and the ability to achieve this but unless we get the government’s backing, today will be remembered as a bad day for Leeds, West Yorkshire and the Leeds City Region and also for the idea of a Northern Powerhouse.”
