Welcoming today's announcement of the creation of the West Yorkshire-Plus Transport Fund, Cllr James Lewis, Metro Chairman, said:

"Today's announcement is good news for the whole of West Yorkshire and Leeds City Region. We've long known that the north of England as a whole has suffered from long-term under-investment, yet transport is a vital element in unlocking the huge economic potential the region has to offer.

"Metro and the five district councils in West Yorkshire will now work together towards the creation of a new Combined Authority with responsibility for transport, economic development and regeneration. It will manage £1bn of transport investment from 2014, supported by funding from the Department for Transport, with the aim of enabling economic growth by reducing journey times and improve connectivity with neighbouring areas.

"The transport authorities of West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and Greater Manchester have also formally submitted proposals to form a Rail in the North Executive, to manage the new Northern and trans-Pennine franchises from 2014.

"These important initiatives will mean that transport will be managed locally rather than from Whitehall, with decision making to suit local needs, accountability to Council Tax-payers and creating a transport network fit for purpose."