Statement on government rejection of New Generation Transport (NGT) scheme for Leeds

Leeds City Council has made the following comment on the decision by the Secretary of State for Transport to reject the NGT scheme for Leeds.

Councillor Judith Blake, leader of Leeds City Council, said:

“It’s a relief to everyone concerned that a decision has finally been made, although the length of time taken to get there has been very frustrating.

“Leeds has been let down by successive Governments in Whitehall on transport, first Supertram and now with NGT. Each occasion setting public transport in the city back many years.

“I’m pleased Leeds will still be allocated the funding and look forward to working with our partners to bring forward the public transport improvements Leeds so desperately needs as quickly as possible.”

Councillor Richard Lewis, executive member for regeneration, transport and planning, said:

“NGT would have brought significant economic benefit to Leeds as well as tackling the congestion and unacceptable travel times on one of the main routes into the city.

“We now need to work out -alongside Central Government- how to use the £173.5 million earmarked for Leeds to provide better transport, help people move around the city and improve air quality in Leeds.”