23 June, 2009

Responding to speculation in the Yorkshire Evening Post that funds committed to the proposed Leeds NGT trolleybus scheme could be diverted to London, Metro Director General, Kieran Preston said today

"As the article in the Yorkshire Evening Post states, this is speculation and Leeds cannot base plans for the future of its transport systems on rumours.

"The Yorkshire and Humber Regional Transport Board, which controls funds allocated by the Government to be spent on transport in this region, made NGT the number one priority and has committed over £1/4bn of this regional funding for the scheme.

"Since being directed by the Government to develop a bus-based alternative to Leeds Supertram, we have worked closely with the Department for Transport (DfT). DfT officials have been involved at every stage in preparing proposals for the NGT trolleybus system and we hold regular meetings with them to discuss the scheme's progress.

"We will be submitting a business case to the DfT in autumn which, thanks to the involvement and guidance of DfT officials, we expect to be approved early in the New Year.

"Meanwhile anyone who wants to find out more about the NGT trolleybus system proposals can come along to our exhibitions.

Link to the NGT web site