Sponsored by
Government gave millions to fund rival supertram
A RIVAL scheme to the axed Leeds Supertram was given hundreds of millions of pounds of public cash despite both offering similar financial benefits, according to documents seen by the Yorkshire Post.
Ministers last summer provided 244m for the expansion of the Manchester Metrolink – on top of 200m already handed over – just months after scrapping the Leeds Supertram on cost grounds.
But the Yorkshire Post has learned that Department for Transport (DfT) officials classed both schemes as "high value for money" and decided there was little difference between the two.
For every 1 of public money spent, the Leeds tram scheme offered benefits of up to 2.40 – excluding advantages such as 140 new jobs – compared to 2.50 for the Metrolink expansion, the documents released under the Freedom of Information Act show.
The DfT's guidelines say a scheme will generally be "high value for money" if the so-called benefit cost ratio is more than 2 and that "most, if not all" such schemes should normally be funded.
But the Government ruled Leeds should get a cheaper bus network instead, while Manchester would see its tram network expand.
The documents also confirm that then Transport Secretary Alistair Darling called for the Metrolink expansion to be abandoned in December 2004, but said that 520m was still on the table for transport improvements in Manchester that could include tram schemes.
The 2005 Labour general election manifesto then said the cash had been committed for Manchester's tram.
Supporters of the Leeds tram said the network could be built for 355m, with Leeds finding an extra 30m to cover increased costs.
Tory Shadow Transport Secretary Chris Grayling said: "Bearing in mind their clear commitment to expand tram schemes, it seems extraordinary they should have such different strategies for Leeds and Manchester – and you cannot help but suspect there are politics at play here."
Leeds North West Liberal Democrat MP Greg Mulholland said the city had been given a "bum deal" by the Government despite Supertram representing good value and similar benefits to the Metrolink expansion.
He warned that the city needed transport investment to develop as a business and shopping centre. He has also written to the National Audit Office asking when its report into trams will be published amid fears of a delay.
He said buses would have to be the answer now, but claimed that the DfT had not clarified financial issues despite any scheme needing its support.
The DfT said draft guidance for councils promoting trams made clear that funding was unlikely if an alternate form of transport was considered a better solution.
A spokeswoman said: "Our prime concern is to achieve the best solution for the particular area, taking account of value for money.
"In Leeds, a top-of-the-range bus on the same corridor was a better value solution than a tram. It would deliver most of the benefits of the tram, at half its cost. In Manchester, extensions to the existing system were a better value-for-money solution than bus-based alternatives."
n The Yorkshire Post Road to Ruin campaign was launched after the supertram scheme was scrapped and calls for a fair funding deal for the region. To add your views see www.yorkshireposttoday.co.uk.
william.green@ypn.co.uk
YOUR VIEWS:
Hon Alderman John Sully, Peterborough: "Leeds Supertram scheme should be revived. All existing UK tramsways are achieving a modal shift. Around 20% of peak hour passengers previously travelled by car and at weekends up to 50% of the people using light rail systems previoulsy travelled by car. Investments in quality bus services in the UK has shown much lower levels of modal shipt: typically between 3 and 7%. All schmes have achieved modal shift. They are all supporting regneration and would do the same in Leeds in Hunslet and the area around St James Hospital. Trams are causing a road traffic reduction and can deliever and maintatin the shift from car to public transport. The Headingly corridor deserves a tram."
Granville Heptonstall, Oxford: "While the government talks green it doesn't act it. Trams are much cleaner and more efficient than buses. Look at any major European city: tram systems are being built and added to everywhere. I detect politics here. Of course the Leeds tram should be revised; Leeds was built for trams, all the main routes had them running down the central reservations. Bring them back."
Chris Veasey, Ealing, London: "A modern electric trolleybus network would be just as effective (in fact more so) and environmentally friendly as tram/ light rail, much cheaper and quicker to introduce and without the massive disruption tramways would cause (particularly where on-street). Sheffield could have got a comprehensive trolleybus network for the price of its three tramways which only serve part of the city, and so could Leeds now. Let Leeds lead the way for other cities in this country by re-introducing trolleybuses, not just follow Manchester, Sheffield and Nottingham with 'Me Too' trams. I'm old enough to remember a ride on the old Leeds trams just as the system was being closed and removed. In my native Hull at the time we had the benefit (which we took for granted as the staple form of everyday public transport) of much smoother and quieter trolleybuses. So I have the personal experience to compare the two."
Gordon Mackley, East Malling: "I believe that there is never any point in looking backwards, irrespective of how much you may oppose a decision. West Yorkshire now need to look forward to see what public transport solutions can be funded. Sometimes these decisions result in more radical thinking that produces greater innovation and a better end result than was envisaged in the original proposal. Do not get despondent, adapt and move forward!"
John, Nottingham: "I have to say the Nottingham Tram offers superb value and is widely used even though the network covers only one route so far. Central government should encourage & support networks in all of the UKs provincial cities rather than investing increasing sums in London (think the Dome & now the olympic village) and squandering our hard earned cash on invading other countries and destroying their infrastucture an creating chaos whilst acting as mercenaries and security guards for US foreign policy plays. I believe that Tony Blair has managed to find 20 BILLION to renew a fleet of 5 Trident Nuclear submarines when the existing fleet has another 25 years life. In my estimation that works out at anouther 50 tram routes . which of the two options do you thinks provides the best benefits for the majority of people?"
Should the Leeds Supertram be revived?
If you AGREE call
0901 801 4392
If you DISAGREE call
0901 801 4393
Or text your vote
YPNEWS (space) YES or NO and send to 84070
YESTERDAY'S RESULT
Is David Cameron a true Tory?
YES 30% NO 70%
Email to a friend
Print this page- Three-inch blanket of snow heading our way today
- Alan Shearer in list of favourites for Leeds and England jobs: Latest odds
- Barnsley’s Keith Hill invokes Fawlty Towers over link with Leeds job
- McCormack feels United search can be narrowed down
- Redfearn throws down gauntlet as queue builds at Elland Road
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Yorkshire
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: -1 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 6 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North west
