Where next for Leeds on transport?

[LNGCats]

I'd be stunned if she makes the final decision, it will be civil servants working on criteria laid down some time ago.

[Leeds No.1]

Regardless of that, I don't expect Tbus to get the go ahead. I expect LRGP, along with the already agreed Southern Entrance, to go ahead and perhaps the IRR maintenance. I don't know why the IRR was submitted for this; a silly decision I think.

[northernryan]

I would be very surprised if Rail Growth dosen't get funding, after all, its not overly expensive, and the benefits it brings are high.

I've posted the link before, but here it is again: http://www.bettertransport.org.uk/bl...ents-submitted

...But where should minsters spend the money instead? In our letter to the DfT (which you can download from the bottom of this post) Campaign for Better Transport's Chief Executive, Stephen Joseph, says that the evidence shows priority should be given to public transport projects in and around cities, and you can read more on why city-based public transport is important on the Transport Works website.
So, with this in mind, we have recommended that these projects should be among those that are given a high priority for funding:

Leeds New Generation Transit
Leeds Rail Growth Package
Manchester Cross City Bus
Supertram Additional Vehicles
Rochdale Interchange
Pennine Reach (East Lancs Rapid Transit)
South Yorkshire Bus Rapid Transit Northern Route
Croxley Interchange
Coventry Nuneaton Rail Upgrade

Quite a lot of schemes from the North!

[Mister City]

Originally Posted by Leeds No.1

Regardless of that, I don't expect Tbus to get the go ahead. I expect LRGP, along with the already agreed Southern Entrance, to go ahead and perhaps the IRR maintenance. I don't know why the IRR was submitted for this; a silly decision I think.

Would be such a kick in the teeth for Leeds if the Tbus does not go-ahead!!! It's long overdue!!! a city the size and financial importance of Leeds should have had a tram decades ago. Even smaller cities such as Sheffield and Nottingham have a tram network.

Leeds has really been through the mill with this proposal with setback after setback. Can't see another tram / trolleybus proposal in Leeds for at least 30 years if Tbus doesn't get the go-ahead.

[SmartCity]

New stations for Apperley Bridge and Kirkstall Forge announced today.

[Leodis Loiner]

Electrified train lines to cut TransPennine journey times

Train journey times between Leeds, York and Manchester are to be cut under plans to electrify the North TransPennine Express rail route.

The Leeds to Manchester journey will be cut from an hour to 45 minutes, and parts of the Leeds to York track which have not yet been electrified will also be upgraded, meaning the journey from York to Manchester would also be quicker.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-15920729

Meanwhile, plans have also been announced for a new £6.6m railway station at Wakefield Westgate to be completed by 2013.

[Mister City]

Originally Posted by SmartCity

New stations for Apperley Bridge and Kirkstall Forge announced today.

Really? Havn't heard any news on this!!! What about the Tbus? Any news on this?

[SmartCity]

Originally Posted by Mister City

Really? Havn't heard any news on this!!! What about the Tbus? Any news on this?

I heard it on Look North. No news about T-Bus so it's probably dead and buried unless they're going to open another pension pot. (we're all going to be working until we're dead at this rate)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-15943671

Out of 22bn he only manages to find £17m for the two stations. Other than that we've got the pleasure of using older trains and driving on the hard shoulder.

[pagey17]

http://cdn.hm-treasury.gov.uk/nation...plan291111.pdf

Read all about it! 15 minutes quicker to Manchester?!

[Mister City]

Originally Posted by SmartCity

I heard it on Look North. No news about T-Bus so it's probably dead and buried unless they're going to open another pension pot. (we're all going to be working until we're dead at this rate)

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-15943671

Out of 22bn he only manages to find £17m for the two stations. Other than that we've got the pleasure of using older trains and driving on the hard shoulder.

That's a real shame!! Would have preffered the Tbus to the two new stations to be honest!!

[lazygamer]

Originally Posted by Mister City

That's a real shame!! Would have preffered the Tbus to the two new stations to be honest!!

Tbus will cost 10 times as much (and the decision on Tbus isn't due until the end of the year, there's still a number of projects under consideration). The relatively low cost of the two stations, plus the fact that a significant amount of money has already been found (by the PTE and from private investment) would have made the two stations more attractive to the government.

[Mister City]

Shouldn't we be getting a decision about the Tbus within the next few weeks? I seem to remember the DfT saying that decision will be made by 31st May 2012.

I seriously doubt it will go ahead now that the country is back in recession.

[THEONETHATLEEDS]

Even in boom times the decision was always NO NO NO!!!! and will be again this time, its got nowt to do with recession and every thing to do with the very cosy relationship all our governments have with the oil company's, and the vast amount of tax our government makes from fuel duty!!!!!!

Take people out of there cars not a chance !!!!!! at least in the UK anyway

[Leeds No.1]

Personally I believe it's down to the government's fixation on money. You have to remember that incumbent governments only care about immediate money, not the long term economy.

Why is 'Value for Money' so important? Value for money relegates value for society, value for the economy, value for development and value for the environment- amongst others I'm sure. A project might not deliver immediate profit, but it can be the key to transforming an area beyond recognition.

Another problem with value for money is that it inherently favours London & the SE. It locks some places into an upward spiral, while others are locked into a downward spiral. London is the epitome of this, where more and more people have used public transport so more and more money is thrown at it. On the other hand, places where transport use is declining; or at least not growing as fast as in London, suffer as they just can't give as strong-a-business case.

It's a win-win situation for some, but a lose-lose for others.

[Aaronj09]

Most people I know don't even drive. I can walk from here to the City, that's 5 miles.. no car needed.

[cmj]

Originally Posted by THEONETHATLEEDS

Even in boom times the decision was always NO NO NO!!!! and will be again this time, its got nowt to do with recession and every thing to do with the very cosy relationship all our governments have with the oil company's, and the vast amount of tax our government makes from fuel duty!!!!!!

Take people out of there cars not a chance !!!!!! at least in the UK anyway

I once heard that in assessing public transport schemes the amount of fuel tax lost was counted 'against' them by the government. Not sure if that's actually true but I wouldn't put it past them (tories or labour).

[Leeds No.1]

Really? That's shocking if true.

I know that the government expect those who use the railways to cover the cost of them though. Why do they not apply that theory with roads? Public transport should be the default with those who use the roads covering their cost.

[alphaxion]

Its also a dumb move because the money saved not paying fuel tax would be spent on things which would incur vat, income, corporate and windfall taxes.

Likelihood is that overall tax intake would be higher with more people on public transport because they would be spending on higher tax rated items!

[Skychaser 2005]

Originally Posted by THEONETHATLEEDS

Even in boom times the decision was always NO NO NO!!!! and will be again this time, its got nowt to do with recession and every thing to do with the very cosy relationship all our governments have with the oil company's, and the vast amount of tax our government makes from fuel duty!!!!!!

Take people out of there cars not a chance !!!!!! at least in the UK anyway

....and that's why Manchester is getting a huge Metrolink extension, Nottingham is also seeing a extension to its tram network as is Birmingham, so it is nonsence to say Leeds won't get T Bus because of tax or fuel duty on cars.

[alphaxion]

Sheffield is getting an extension to its tram network by setting up tram to rail links I order to extend it out to Rotherham.