£250 million Leeds Trolleybus scheme is axed

The Government has accepted recommendations not to proceed with the proposed £250 million trolleybus scheme in Leeds.

The report said there was “little evidence” that the scheme would serve the most deprived areas of Leeds, or improve connectivity with them, while it would “harm the built and natural environment” due to the introduction of overhead wires and the loss of trees and green spaces.

It also found that the local authority had “not fully examined” whether there were more suitable corridors, or whether there were more cost-effective ways to improve public transport.

The inspector who wrote the report also suggested that road congestion would not be improved, and described assurances as to the availability of funding and the benefit:cost ratio as “optimistic”.

• For more on this, read RAIL 801, published on May 25.