Leeds trolleybus scheme delayed further

Railways, trams, buses, etc.
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Brunel
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Re: Leeds trolleybus scheme delayed further

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TramForward backs TramTrain for West Yorkshire

20 May 2016

TramForward backs the call from Greg Mulholland (MP for Leeds North West and Chairman of the All Party Light Rail Group at Westminster) for early discussions on the development of a modern transport system for the Leeds City Region and West Yorkshire based on TramTrain technology, following the cancellation of the controversial Leeds NGT trolleybus scheme by the Department for Transport (DfT).

Outline plans have previously been put forward for a TramTrain link to Leeds Bradford International Airport branching off the Leeds-Harrogate-York railway line with street running from the Kirkstall viaduct to City Square (by Leeds Railway station). This would be the first line of a new TramTrain network that could then be developed in phases, to connect with Pontefract, Castleford and Wakefield and to Bradford via Shipley utilising existing heavy railway lines.

TramTrains and light rail generally have a proven track record of getting people out of their cars and on to public transport – which is exactly what the Leeds City Region desperately needs. TramTrains are designed to share tracks with heavy rail vehicles, meaning that the important Harrogate to London service could still run from Harrogate to Leeds, whilst the TramTrains serve commuters and Leeds Bradford Airport.

Greg Mulholland said: "As a city and wider region we must now work together to come up with the right 21st century transport system and include all options, in using tram and tram train and looking at existing rail lines. Part of this planning must include a fixed link to Leeds Bradford International Airport as part of a wider city region system. It is time for Leeds to catch up with other UK & European cities on transport."

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