The UK Government has pledged to commit more than £173 million towards public transport improvements in Leeds.

The Department for Transport (DfT) has expressed its support for an integrated £173.5m package of improvements, with funding secured following a decision not to proceed with the New Generation Transport (NGT) trolleybus last year. The funds need to be committed to public transport schemes before the end of 2021.

A range of schemes have been highlighted by Leeds City Council and West Yorkshire Combined Authority (WYCA) including;

• Easing congestion, improving bus journey times and reliability through bus priority measures on key corridors in the city including the A61/A639 South, A61 North, A660, A58 north east and A647

• New park and ride services at Stourton and north Leeds joining the new service at Temple Green opening later this year and the success of Elland Road

• Improved district transport hubs making use of the latest technologies and better connectivity between local communities and neighbourhoods

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• Developing proposals for new rail stations to support job creation and housing growth at Thorpe Park and White Rose/Millshaw Business Park

• Developing proposals for a new parkway station on the Leeds to Harrogate line to serve Leeds Bradford Airport and also act as a park and ride in both directions

• Enhancing access at Cross Gates, Morley and Horsforth rail stations and car park expansion at New Pudsey to increase its park and ride capacity

• Connecting with city centre plans to create modern transport interchanges, enhanced public spaces and maximising the benefits from the remodelled Leeds Station and the arrival of high-speed HS2 and Northern Powerhouse Rail (formerly HS3

Together with additional support from West Yorkshire Combined Authority and private sector stakeholders, including a £71m investment from First West Yorkshire for new low-emissions buses, the total funding package available is in excess of £270m.

City Council Leader Judith Blake said: "We are delighted that the Department for Transport has given its support for our plans which have the potential to transform public transport in Leeds, with improvements we can deliver in the coming years in keeping with what the people of Leeds told us they want to see. That is making it quicker and easier for everyone to be able to move around the city as well as connecting people and businesses to places and jobs, increasing productivity and supporting major economic growth areas.

"We can now get on with working with our partners to develop and deliver these ambitious and exciting improvements, but it is important to stress this needs to be just the start of major investment in transport in Leeds and the region. Much more needs to follow, so we all must work together if we are to achieve the modern fully integrated transport network including a rapid mass-transit system that our city and the wider region needs as soon as possible."

(LM/MH)