Metro Chairman Cllr Chris Greaves has described the Transport Select Committee's call on the Government to correct regional disparities in transport investment as 'just what's needed in West Yorkshire and the Leeds City Region'.

"We have long made the point that while we can understand the special transport needs of the capital, there has been a legacy of transport underspending in the north with our region receiving one of the lowest overall levels of investment," said Cllr Greaves.

Comprehensive plans

"We have drawn up comprehensive plans for an improved local rail network with more stations and additional train capacity to meet continued growth in demand, to develop a link to Leeds-Bradford airport through the introduction of tram-train, for the first stage of a trolleybus network in Leeds and for the new transport interchange in Castleford.

"All of these plans are underpinned by independent research which shows the economic and social benefits they would bring but without the funding from central Government, our ability to progress them is restricted.

Decisions

"A re-focusing of Government transport spending on the regions combined with the strategic decision-making opportunities that will come from the Leeds City Region Local Enterprise Partnership would enable us to start moving forward with the plans which underpin the recovery and growth of our local, regional and national economy.

"I look forward to welcoming Transport Secretary Philip Hammond to West Yorkshire to discuss how, in the light of the Transport Select Committee's recommendations, we can progress our plans."