Elected mayor brings hope of better rail system for city

I HAVE often called for a twin tunnel metro system centred on the centre of Leeds as the best long-term transport solution for both city and region, with five million people living within an hour’s rail travel of City Square.

However, the coalition Government seems just as reluctant as its Labour predecessor to make the necessary investment in local rail transport.

Rather than describing yet again in detail how the regional Metro system would work, it is worth pointing out that in terms of local public transport investment we are the poor relations in Europe largely because of the stranglehold that the UK Treasury has on regional investment.

Rather than acting as a source of investment, the Treasury exists to throttle such investment. In other countries, regions such as Greater Leeds are allowed to develop and finance their own networks without the need for some bureaucrat in the capital to give approval. Until the veto power of the Treasury is weakened, there is little chance of a Metro system here.

However, our chances of getting a decent rail public transport network may possibly be improved under a directly elected mayor, responsible to the electorate, rather than to the party machines for major issues like transport planning.

If each of the authorities in our city region had its own mayor, with one acting as chair, then assuming that they were all agreed on the need for major investment in rail, there is surely more chance that we may get it

Actually what is really needed is a kind of ‘prime minister’ for the Leeds region, someone who makes the case for major investment in rail their absolute priority.

Until the correct political and planning structure is in place and the UK government instructs the Treasury to show greater flexibility in financing rail investment, there is little chance of us getting the transport system that we deserve.

From: Christine Carpenter, Helperthorpe, Malton.

I AM writing to express my support for my local Postbus which, again, appears to be under threat.

It runs from Malton to Foxholes via a large number of small Wolds’ villages. It is a vital service for residents, especially those who without their own transport.

The bus is regularly full and the driver even has to turn away people. Its importance has increased considerably since we have lost the majority of our local post offices and village shops.

Losing this bus would render many of the already vulnerable population even more at risk. The simple act of collecting a pension and buying food would be impossible. Living on a low income means that many do not have access to the internet, so online banking and shopping is not open to them.

Living in the countryside may well be picturesque, but rural poverty and lack of access to facilities others take for granted is a real and growing problem.

My concern is that those who are going to be most affected are actually the least able to defend this service.