Friday 6 February , 2009

Leeds City Region transport bosses have welcomed the news that the Government's Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon is backing the city's planned New Generation Transport system NGT.

Speaking to the Yorkshire Evening Post newspaper Mr Hoon said he hoped Metro and Leeds City Council's would be successful with their plans to overhaul public transport in the city.

"I have had regular discussions with the city about their proposals and I hope they are successful," he told the Yorkshire Evening Post.

Metro Chairman councillor Chris Greaves said that Mr Hoon had recently visited Metro for what he described as 'a very constructive meeting'.

"I am pleased to hear Mr Hoon remains positive about our plans, that he will be giving NGT his help and encouragement and that he is backing local solutions to local problems," said Councillor Greaves.

"NGT is a key element of our long-term strategy to improve public transport in Leeds, and the Leeds City Region," said Leeds City Council leader Councillor Andrew Carter.

"We are already working closely with Mr Hoon and his colleagues to bring the scheme to fruition and this public declaration of support from the Minister can only help that process."

NGT is a brand-new, high-quality transport system that would transport people into Leeds city centre. New, fully accessible vehicles, which could be electrically powered, would use dedicated lanes and have priority at junctions making journeys, from park-and-ride sites on the city's edge, faster and more reliable.

In January 2009, the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Transport Board approved a further £98.8m of funding for Phase 2 of NGT having already approved £150m for the first phase of the scheme in June 2007.

Link to the Yorkshire Evening Post story