Key transport project cuts have left region struggling in the slow lane

YORKSHIRE has suffered years of chronic under-investment in transport infrastructure, with many crucial schemes being turned down or scaled back by Westminster.

Research has revealed that the Government spends four times the funding per head of population on transport infrastructure in London than in Yorkshire.

Scores of key projects have fallen by the wayside – the doubling of platform capacity at Wakefield Westgate rail station, a new combined bus and rail interchange for Castleford and a £31m project to promote the use of low-carbon transport for commuters.

These followed the disastrous Leeds Supertram project – a scheme initially approved by the Government but axed in 2005, despite £40m having already been spent on it.

There have been some positive signs that Westminster is at last beginning to realise the potential for economic growth in Yorkshire should significant investment take place.

High-speed rail will transform the region, slashing journey times not only between Yorkshire and London but also between key economic city regions like Leeds, Sheffield and Manchester. Business leaders have supported the Yorkshire Post’s Fast Track to Yorkshire campaign to bring HSR to the region and now the Government is also behind the £32bn project.

And the Northern Hub, a £580m rail scheme to deliver more than 700 extra services a day between Leeds, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle and Sheffield, is likely to be approved.

However, there are worrying signs surrounding 11 other key transport projects currently awaiting approval, and sources have suggested the £250m Leeds trolleybus scheme will need to be scaled back drastically, despite £16bn being spent on London Crossrail.