Campaigners ‘painting Leeds trolleybus team as liars’

A senior councillor has released a briefing document to other city politicians that aims to address concerns raised in recent months by anti-trolleybus campaigners.

The document, which has been seen by the Yorkshire Post, runs to 18 pages and says the New Generation Transport (NGT) project will ease traffic congestion by providing “fast and reliable journeys”.

It also claims opponents are attempting to paint those in the trolleybus team as unprofessional and liars.

Another section says arguments the scheme could drive a wedge between communities are “highly emotive and disingenuous”.

Coun Richard Lewis, Leeds City Council’s executive member for development and economy, has distributed the briefing to councillors for wards along the proposed trolleybus route as well as local MPs.

Coun Lewis said last night: “A major issue that becomes apparent when reading the views of many people in relation to [trolleybus] is there is a huge amount of misinformation and misunderstanding surrounding the scheme.”

The document was put together by Metro, West Yorkshire’s publicly-funded passenger transport authority, which is heading up the NGT project with the council.

Construction is due to begin in 2016 on the £250m network, which will link the city centre with Holt Park in the north and Stourton in the south.

Campaigners claim the scheme will offer “pitiful” value for money while Leeds East MP George Mudie has condemned it as “unambitious”.