£1bn transport fund ‘key to Leeds area’s future’ (From Wharfedale Observer)
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£1bn transport fund ‘key to Leeds area’s future’
9:00am Sunday 28th October 2012 in Local news
A £1 billion regional trans-port fund will allow Leeds to control its own destiny and will be key for the area’s future, according to a former Metro chairman.
Yeadon councillor Ryk Downes stressed his support for the scheme and said it had all-party backing across Leeds City Council and from Metro.
Coun Downes was at an executive board meeting last week when it was agreed to push forward with plans for the West Yorkshire transport fund If successful, proposals will lead to a ten-year programme of rail and road improvements across the region. The scheme, which needs to be backed by neighbouring local authorities, would pay for projects like a new rail link to Leeds Bradford Airport.
Coun Downes, who put forward the same idea during his time as Metro chairman several years ago, said a successful model could already be seen in Manchester.
“It is the sort of thing we should all get behind,” he said. “This is the key to unlock funding for Leeds and West Yorkshire.
“We recognise this is the way we can control our destiny with some of the bigger transport projects.”
