September 3: Too many politicians and not one capable of tackling transport woes in Leeds

SO we can choose to have devolution – but based on elected mayors. A concept which we constitutionally rejected across the whole country with few exceptions.

What we really need is a Yorkshire-wide assembly with our own First Minister and elected members.

It is possible for an area with our population. The example is obvious.

Too many politicians? Yes. Solution: Reduce the number of MPs from 650 to a more manageable 250. Reduce the number in the House of Lords from 800 to 100.

Yes give retiring politicians and civil servants gongs but not a seat in the Lords.

If the USA can manage with 435 representatives and 100 senators, why the hell do we need so many?

Trouble is who will vote to put themselves out of a job? Never mind a referendum on the EU when we have much bigger problems closer to home that deserves a referendum.

From: James Bovington, Church Grove, Horsforth.

I COULD write at length about things that I’m not keen on about France, or for that matter the French, but the excellent quality of their municipal transport systems is one that we should be seeking to emulate.

Hence on our recent holiday we have visited the tram systems in medium-sized cities in central France including Orleans, Le Mans and Tours. The trams fit well into the urban fabric and provide frequent all-day links from suburbs into the historic centres where in some cases the tram has allowed enhanced pedestrianisation. Purchasing a ticket with either cash or debit card is facilitated by machines at all stops. Park and ride sites enable both residents and tourists to access the trams easily and directly, although these could be larger.

These cities are comparable in size to places like York, Huddersfield and Wakefield. Yet all have been able to develop tram systems and secure funding. So why can’t Leeds? My preference for a rail tunnel with new central area underground stations is well documented.

However trams could also have a role to play. Scrapping the proposals for NGT and developing a tram network for the Adel/Headingley to Stourton/Middleton alignment would be a good start.

Whoever is now pretending to develop a modern transport network for Leeds should take note. The citizens of Leeds deserve as good a transport network as anywhere in France, don’t they?