Leeds trolleybuses take next step
Plans for developing Leeds’ £250m New Generation Transport (NGT) trolleybus scheme have reached a key stage with the submission of the application for a Transport and Works Act Order (TWAO). The TWAO will give Metro and Leeds City Council the permissions and powers needed to build and operate the system. Having considered the application and any objections to the scheme, the Secretary of State will then decide whether to order a Public Inquiry, which is expected to happen in Spring 2014.
The application for the TWAO is made to the Secretary of State for Transport, after which members of the public and organisations have a period of 42 days to 31 October to lodge objections or register their support for the scheme. Metro and Leeds City Council will have the chance to review objections and, where possible, will seek to resolve the issues locally through mitigation, both before and during the public inquiry.
The first stage of the proposed NGT trolleybus network will operate along a 14.8km route running from Holt Park in North Leeds, as well as from Stourton in south Leeds, into the city centre. It is one of the UK’s largest single investments in transport infrastructure outside of London. Its creators claim the network will offer significantly improved journey times and reliability for commuters, as well as providing a £176m a year boost to the city’s economy and the possibility of creating up to 4,000 new jobs. They also state that for commuters, NGT will mean weekly savings of over two hours for those travelling from the Bodington Park & Ride site to Leeds city centre and around 50 minutes per week for commuters using the Stourton Park & Ride.
Visit www.ngtmetro.com to object to or show support for the scheme.
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