“The meeting was a chance to illustrate to Mr Hoon the transport issues Leeds and the City Region are facing", said Councillor Greaves.

“We set out the key elements of our 25-year Transport Vision, which is being developed to enable the City Region to achieve its full potential to contribute to the national economy.”

During the meeting with Mr Hoon, Metro Director General Kieran Preston detailed the organisation’s ambitious plans for tram-train and talked about how further electrification, combined with more trains and new stations, could greatly increase capacity on the City Region’s rail network. He also showed the Secretary of State Metro’s initial plans for NGT (New Generation Transport) - the brand new, high-quality, more environmentally-friendly transport system that could transport passengers quickly and comfortably into Leeds city centre.

Mr Hoon described the meeting as ‘productive and informative’.

He said, “Metro and its partners are drawing up a comprehensive set of proposals for the City Region and I look forward to seeing the finalised version in the spring.”

Metro's 25-year Transport Vision for Leeds

Visit the NGT web site for more information about the New Generation Transport study.

Date: 14 November 2008