Over £500m to help travellers escape region's gridlock horror

MORE than half a billion pounds will be spent to tackle traffic gridlock in the region in moves which could spell the end of congestion charging fears in York.

A raft of measures has received support including 235m for the UK's first modern trolleybus system in Leeds, two major schemes to improve access to the ports of Hull and Immingham, and two new park and ride schemes in York with the relocation of an existing site, increasing spaces from 3,750 to 5,350.

There has been anger in York after plans were drawn up to consult the city's residents on how to ease traffic problems, with one of the options being the possible introduction of congestion charges.

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But York Council's executive member for city strategy, Steve Galloway, said after yesterday's news of Government spending: "This announcement is a further nail in the coffin of a local congestion charge in York."

Yesterday's developments mark a victory for the Yorkshire Post's Road to Ruin campaign, which has been calling for a better transport deal for the region.

Nick Pontone, director of policy at the Yorkshire and Humber Chambers of Commerce, "strongly welcomed" the announcements.

"We have lobbied hard for the schemes to improve public transport in Leeds and the two road schemes to the Humber ports which are hugely important to the region's success.

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"We very much hope that funding for these schemes comes forward after the General Election when there will be pressure on transport budgets," he said.

Shadow Transport Secretary Theresa Villiers said many people would query why it had taken Ministers until the eve of a general election to realise that the region's transport infrastructure "has been stuck in the slow lane for too long".

Transport Minister Sadiq Khan was in Leeds yesterday to announce initial backing for a trolleybus network, agreeing to contribute 235m to its expected 254m cost. The first trolleybuses could be running by 2016.

The announcement follows years of disappointment after the city's supertram bid was rejected because of spiralling costs. Ministers agreed to back two lines but not a proposed third.

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A northern route will run to Hyde Park Corner, then to Headingley, West Park, a park-and-ride at Bodington and expanding beyond this out to Holt Park.

The southern route goes to a park-and-ride at Stourton. An eastern route connecting the city centre to St James's Hospital and a city centre loop have been rejected.

Mr Khan, when asked about the timing of yesterday's trolleybus announcement so close to an election, said the Government wanted to progress the scheme quickly. Over 13m will also be given to create a new entrance at Leeds City Station.

Preferred routes to ease congestion on the A63 Castle Street in Hull and improve access to the Port of Immingham from the A160 were also announced.

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The A63 proposals will see an upgrade to a one-mile stretch from Porter Street and Myton Bridge – improving access to the Port of Hull, the city centre to the north of the A63 and leisure facilities to the south.

The A160 scheme will upgrade three miles of the A160 Humber Road from its junction with the A180 at Brocklesby to the entrance of the Port of Immingham to a dual carriageway.

Mr Khan said up to 325m was earmarked for the schemes.

A link road to improve access from the south to Immingham also received initial backing.

Also, a Humber Bridge study looking at the impact of reducing or removing tolls should be ready in around six months not 12.

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In York a 25m scheme to provide two new park and ride sites and the relocation of an existing site have received initial Government approval.

The plans include more than doubling spaces at Askham Bar park and ride to 1,100 and moving it closer to the A64; a new park and ride at Poppleton Bar with 600 spaces and 500 spaces at a new site at Clifton Moor.

Coun Galloway added: "This is a very welcome announcement and one of the most viable alternatives to dealing with congestion. It is very unlikely that a local congestion charge will now ever be introduced in York."

MAJOR POINTS

Up to 325m to develop two major schemes to improve access to the ports of Hull and Immingham.

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235m has been earmarked for the creation of the UK's first modern trolleybus system in Leeds.

25m towards two new park and ride schemes in York and the relocation and expansion of an existing site.

Work assessing the impact of reducing or removing Humber Bridge tolls will be ready in around six months.