Transport body on track to promote rail travel

YOUR correspondent Bob Watson (Yorkshire Post, October 28) will be pleased to hear that Metro is already promoting a wide range of rail projects throughout West Yorkshire in line with the measures he suggests.

A £94m business case has been submitted for electrifying the Harrogate Line between Leeds, Harrogate and York, which will allow frequencies to be doubled between Leeds and Harrogate, and between Harrogate and York.

We are working to finalise the details of new stations at Kirkstall Forge, Apperley Bridge and Low Moor. We’re waiting for final confirmation from the Department for Transport on their contribution to the new Leeds Station southern entrance, which will make it quicker and easier for the 20,000 people each working day who travel to and from the south of the city centre.

We are working with the train operators and our colleagues in Greater Manchester to take advantage of the “Northern Hub” projects once completed, which will allow services to be improved, as well as allowing direct services to run from Bradford and Halifax to Manchester Airport via both Victoria and Piccadilly.

Metro is also one of 33 local transport authorities in the north of England pushing to the devolution of responsibilities for rail in the North to a new body, which will be able to react more quickly to local needs, help boost the local economy and make sure more profits are invested into the local rail network – including new stations and rolling stock.

I can assure Mr Watson that we have the vision for the future of our rail services.

Now we need to see the Government making the policy assurances and financial commitment required to make the vision a reality.