Keen to tell leading business figures about the 25-year Transport Vision for the Leeds City Region, Metro had a stand at the Yorkshire International Business Convention in Harrogate on Friday 8 June.

Representatives from Metro’s Development Department were on the stand to tell delegates about the £4.5bn Vision, which it has drawn up with the 11 Leeds City Region partners.

Measures proposed in the Vision, which will deliver £13.5bn of benefits are tram-trains on the York-Harrogate rail link, the UK’s first high-quality electric-powered rapid bus network and an extension of the area covered by money-saving MetroCards.

“Tackling congestion is a key element of the Leeds City Region Development Plan,” said Metro Director General, Kieran Preston. “With transport representing 15% of business costs, we are sure delegates at the Yorkshire International Business Convention on Friday will be keen to hear our plans.”

Metro shared the Convention stand with first Wakefield Development Agency.

“These are exciting times for the Wakefield District in terms of transport, continued Mr Preston. “April saw the launch of the highly successful FreeCityBus and detailed designs are being drawn up for the Castleford Transport Interchange which will bring the town’s bus and rail stations together in a comfortable, state-of-the-art facility.

“Looking further ahead there are plans to redevelop Wakefield Westgate and increase the station’s operating capacity, and the possibility of using tram-train technology to open up a new routes into the fast-growing FiveTowns area.

Mohan de Silva, Chief Executive of first said, “Transport has a key role to play in the recent success of the Wakefield District, and is one of the factors that saw Wakefield named “Britain’s Best Small City for Business” (OMIS Research 2006). The redevelopment of Wakefield Westgate station and Castleford interchange are vital strands in a half billion pound regeneration of the District which will transform life for those who live, work and play here”.