Cllr Andrew Carter, Leeds City Council's Alternate Leader and Transport Authority Member responded to Transport Minister Lord Adonis's article in the Yorkshire Post today by calling for a studied approach to high-speed rail rather than what he described as the Minister's 'hunches'.

"Rather than articles appearing every so often, based upon what appear to be Lord Adonis's expressing opinions based on gut feeling, we need to hear the results of a studied approach based upon research and an analysis of the evidence provided," said Cllr Carter

£30bn benefits

"If Lord Adonis wants to hear Yorkshire's voice on high-speed rail, all he needs to do is look at the report already published by the West and South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executives setting out the £30bn of benefits that a high speed rail line to Sheffield and Leeds would achieve.

"Or he could read the findings of high-speed rail specialists Greengauge21 and the Northern Way Transport Compact who are calling for a two-line network serving the North's city regions on both the east and west sides of the Pennines.

New rolling stock

"Lord Adonis is right in saying we need a better TransPennine rail service but as Nick Pontone told the Yorkshire Post, we need it now, not in 30 years time," continued Cllr Carter. "Electrifying the existing line and bringing journey time between Leeds and Manchester down to 40 minutes and providing extra capacity with new rolling stock would make the line a viable alternative to the already choked M62."

"I fully support Mr Pontone's and the Yorkshire Post's view that Yorkshire cannot be left in the slow lane, and that Lord Adonis needs to recognise that a high-speed East Coast route is essential."

Case for High Speed Rail Leeds Sheffield document (pdf. 494k)

Greengauge21 web site.