The Department for Transport (DfT) has accepted a report from a planning inspector, describing the scheme as ‘not in the public interest’
Plans to build a £250m trolley bus network in Leeds, also known as the New Generation Transport (NGT) system, have been rejected by the government in a report dated May 12.
The proposed project would have seen a nine mile route built in Leeds, connecting the north and south areas of the city.
In the report, the planning inspector did not question that there ‘was a strong need to improve public transport in Leeds.’ However, he went on to say that the applicants had not sufficiently demonstrated that the NGT scheme would meet ‘key objectives of supporting significant economic growth, reducing congestion and greenhouse gas emissions, or enhancing the quality of life in the area it would serve.’
The report also considered that there would be ‘significant effects on land use over a long period of time due to disruption from road closures, diversions, construction traffic, noise and construction compounds in areas where there were high levels of commercial, educational and leisure activity.’
It also concluded that there was a ‘realistic possibility that the scheme would not attract the necessary funding to maintain it, even with the commitment that had been made to fund its construction should the Order be made.’
Discussing alternative proposals for public transport in the region, the report noted that none of the suggested options had been ‘fully developed or costed’, and that some of them would – such as tram or underground possibilities – be more expensive to implement than the NGT scheme.
It also stated that modern hybrid buses, with improved bus stops, signal prioritisation and segregated bus lanes, could ‘offer a noticeable improvement in the quality of public transport and greater flexibility than the proposed NGT scheme, at lower cost and less environmental harm.
Responding to the announcement, West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) Transport Committee Chairman, Cllr Keith Wakefield, said: “This 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 almost £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 government has admitted in the decision letter published today that NGT represented good value for money. The letter states the Department for Transport confirmed Programme Entry in July 2012 and the ‘decision to allocate funding for the scheme was based specifically on an assessment of the value for money, affordability and deliverability of the scheme.’
“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.
“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 trains at its heart and will now work with government to make that a reality.”
