Tuesday's Letters: Trolleybus network would provide value for money

In answer to Mr Cook's question about the popularity of overhead power, it is commonly acknowledged in the transport industry that the overhead wires of a trolleybus or tram network provide a sense of permanence that attracts local businesses and passengers alike. The infrastructure of the system helps reassure passengers that the service will not be removed, the route won't be changed at the whim of the operator nor the new vehicles appropriated for use in a completely different city or town.

Overhead power also delivers far greater range and operating efficiency than would be available with a battery-operated "Superbus".

The scheme's many benefits completely align with the Government's

pledge to prioritise low carbon sustainable transport, capital projects that provide a "significant economic return to the country" and have the greatest impact on innovation and jobs.

The Department for Transport has already acknowledged the value-for-money benefits that the NGT trolleybus network would achieve, including the creation of 4,000 long-term jobs, (at a fraction of the cost of those that will be created by Crossrail in London).

I have called for a meeting with Ministers to discuss the spending review's effect on the development of NGT and to stress how the scheme

represents value-for-money in supporting the Leeds City Region's economic recovery and future growth.

I will also be stressing the history of underspending on transport in our region from successive governments and that making any cuts less hard-hitting here would be an opportunity for the Government to start redressing that legacy.

From: Coun Chris Greaves, Chairman, West Yorkshire Integrated Transport Authority, Leeds.

From: Dan Laythorpe, Kendal Bank, Little Woodhouse, Leeds.

IN support of his hypothetical Superbus idea, David M Cook asks: "Is a bus or train powered by an overhead system more attractive to commuters than any other bus?"

Firstly, it is beyond doubt that modern tram systems, such as those operating in Sheffield, Manchester, Nottingham and Croydon as well as in scores of cities throughout Europe, the Near East, North Africa and North America where modernised and brand new networks are running, are far more successful in attracting motorists from their cars than any bus system whether guided, trolley or "super".

With reference to electric overhead power supply, some transport experts have remarked on the "sparks effect" – the existence of wires (and in the case of trams of rails) providing visible evidence of permanent and reliable transport service, something lacking with the

diesel bus.

However, it would be nearer the truth to say that modern tram/light rail systems are superior in the following respects:

n Quality of ride – smooth running with steel wheel on steel rail

rather than rubber tyre on uneven road surface.

n Far superior control over acceleration and braking – the nature of modern tram construction provides for greater stability during motion.

n Capacity – a modern tram can carry several times more passengers than any bus.

n Disabled accessibility – fixed rail means fixed, level access between platform and vehicle for wheelchairs and child buggies.

n Reliability – trams run to a rigorous metro-like regularity on reserved right of way, avoiding "bunching-up" common in bus systems.

n Environmental benefits – completely non-polluting at point of use and extremely quiet running.

n Image – a virtually indefinable "cachet" that attracts commuters to rail-borne transit (ask any passengers in Strasbourg or Lyon, for example).

n Longevity – though more expensive than a bus, a modern tram has more than twice the lifespan.

To return to the overhead electric wires so abhorred by the sensitive Mr Cook, it must be said that modern systems are far less obtrusive and lightweight than those of half a century ago. Indeed, Bordeaux has pioneered current collection from below the tram which eliminates the need for overhead equipment.

Mr Cook should take a trip to some European cities to witness for himself both the outstanding success and popularity modern trams enjoy there, and their unquestionable superiority over the bus not only in

helping reduce congestion but also in regeneration of neglected urban areas.

Don't blame Keynes for our plight

From: Michael Swaby, Hainton Avenue, Grimsby.

JONATHAN Goldsbrough blames "Keynesianism and its adherence by

countless politicians and central bankers" for our present economic plight (Yorkshire Post, June 28).

While Keynesianism is often discussed as though it were a doctrine, I can't believe that the man who once said "when the facts change, I change my mind" was doctrinaire.

He led the UK delegation at the Bretton Woods Conference, and Mr Goldsbrough will know that his work had few critics during the life of the Treaty up to 1971. Would his keen mind have approved of the subsequent dog's dinner of fiat money and floating currencies that are the cause of so much instability? I somehow doubt it.

It seems that, by implication, Keynes gets the blame for overspending, imprudent borrowing, and countless acts of folly. John Maynard Keynes was a brilliant man, whose work was appropriate for the time, and who served his country selflessly.

Bring back penal colonies

From: David W Wright, Uppleby, Easingwold, North Yorkshire.

THE last Labour government was full of harebrained ideas which helped to bring the UK to its knees, but now the new coalition Government is, worryingly, going in the same direction.

The latest pronouncement about overcrowded prisons and instituting a rehabilitation revolution made by Ken Clarke (Yorkshire Post, June 30) is surely missing the crucial aim of ensuring offenders are penalised for their crimes, and deterred from re-offending.

Now that we cannot send prisoners to Australia, might it not be

sensible to develop new penal colonies in way out locations such as the Ascension Island, South Georgia or the Falkland Islands where offenders can be taken out of circulation and experience real hardship instead of the current five star prison system which simply encourages them to

re-offend and enjoy a holiday at the taxpayers' expense?

Cameron's message

From: RC Curry, Adel Grange Close, Leeds.

ATTENDING the Prime Minister's Q&A session in Leeds last week (Yorkshire Post, June 30), it was refreshing that he answered the questions put to him very directly.

Speaking to a number of those present, this seemed to be a similar feeling. The replies were made without all the havering, wavering and dodging to which we have become accustomed over the last 13 years, most especially latterly.

Whether all of every answer was what the questioner wanted to hear may be another point, but at least there was no prevarication.

Furthermore, David Cameron's attitude was upbeat and positive, such as encouraging Sheffield to compete with Leeds, not grumbling about competition.

However, there was no doubt left that we are all in this together, and the sooner that certain people get the message the better.

Another success for the Yorkshire Post in providing the platform.

Journey of delight

From: Eric Farrington-Birchall, Limestone Road, Burniston, Scarborough.

MAY I be allowed to comment on the letter from Margaret Claxton(Yorkshire Post, June 21)?

Indeed, those 10 shilling tickets are very well remembered! "Runabout tickets" I believe they were called. In 1938 or 1939, a friend and I treated ourselves to one of these tickets. At the time, we lived in Preston and the area covered was very scenic – north to Carlisle, Barrow-in-Furness to Carlisle by the coastal line through Whitehaven, Workington, Maryport.

South to Southport and Liverpool; west to Blackpool and Fleetwood; east to Skipton and district. The Lake District and this also included

sailing on the Windermere lake steamers. Tremendous value for 10 shillings. We travelled hundreds of miles during the week on the old LMS railway.

Of course, it must be remembered also that some people found it hard to find 10 shillings for necessities and the state retirement pension was just 10 shillings a week – 50p!

Just over 12 months later, I was in the Royal Air Force and many years later in the 1970s my wife and I bought "runabout tickets", by then 3.50. Still good value.

We have added British dimension to economic woes

From: Brian Ormondroyd, Brindley Court, Skipton.

THE latest news is that 40 per cent budget cuts are being mooted.

Or is this another way to get us to accept only 25 per cent cuts in our services?

Are we to see our councillors making a stand to defend our services in

Craven, North Yorkshire, in the UK?

There will be savage cuts to leisure, museums and parks. Bin

collections and street lighting will be be reduced, and 56,000 fewer police will be patrolling our streets. Some future.

Tens of thousands of workers will be thrown out of work and on to

benefits. If those benefits will then exist!

Bankers and Gordon Brown brought us to this. Financial woes exist throughout the world. We have simply added a further British dimension.

Needless to say, the bankers and City slickers will not suffer. We ordinary folk will, as so often in the past, bail them out.

Savage cuts are needed. We can first of all start by drastically reducing military spending currently costing us 46bn.

We might ask: what will we have worth defending?

So the money is there to expand our public services, education, NHS, police.

Let us use it. Let us see our leaders taking action now.

Time to target war on waste

From: Maurice Headland, Rowena Avenue, Edenthorpe, Doncaster.

PATRICK Mercer, MP for Newark (Yorkshire Post, June 30), certainly hit the nail on the head when he stated there are now more civil servants in the Ministry of Defence than there are soldiers in the Army. What a ludicrous situation!

We learned in the recent Budget that a little known department for preparation of changeover to the euro was to be scrapped.

How many more questionable departments exist overflowing with civil servants?

True hero

From: Derek Dawson, Ryhill, Wakefield.

We hear much about so-called sporting heroes, If there was ever a real live hero, it must be young Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson, who lost both his legs in a bomb explosion in Afghanistan. After all he has been through and being told he would probably never walk again, he has battled his way back to doing just that – and not only that, he realised his ambition to do another parachute drop. Ben should be presented with his Para wings in 22 carat gold, because that is exactly what he is himself.

Out of place

From: Julian Hide, North Street, Sutton-in-Craven, Keighley.

THE Picture Post by Bruce Rollinson was, as usual, a joy to behold (Yorkshire Post, June 5). However, Bishopdale does not "nestle between Buckden and Cray", as the accompanying text stated, but starts over the watershed of Kidstone Pass.