Predicitions that the number of people commuting by train into Leeds and other regional centres will more than double in the next generation, make investment in the West Yorkshire's rail network and rolling stock even more urgent said Metro Chairman Cllr Chris Greaves this weekend.

'Planning Ahead', a rail industry planning document prepared by Network Rail, the Association of Train Operating Companies and the Rail Freight Operators' Association forecasts twice as many people commuting into Leeds and growth of up to 115 per cent on some routes, within 25 years.

Cllr Chris Greaves said, "The predictions in this report make Metro's calls for investment in the local rail network infrastructure and additional rolling stock all the more urgent as the kind of improvements that would be needed take time to develop.

Underpinning growth

"These rises in commuter numbers would represent significant growth in the economy and as Metro, along with the CBI and the British Chambers of Commerce, has been saying, you need to maintain investment in transport projects to underpin that growth.

"Some of our peak-time trains are bursting at the seams and we have already heard this week that passengers in our region are concerned about overcrowding.

"I have written to the Transport Secretary Philip Hammond inviting him to come to West Yorkshire and travel on some rush-hour trains to see for himself the effects of rolling stock shortages.

"This report, along with the recent ATOC report on growing passenger numbers and this week's Passenger Focus survey results, makes it all the more important he accepts."