Scheme could shave up to six minutes from rush-hour journeys and prove real alternative to using cars

TRANSPORT Minister Norman Baker has backed a 20m bus scheme in Leeds which he hailed as a real alternative to driving into the city centre.

Mr Baker visited the new Leeds bus corridor which could shave up to up to six minutes from rush hour bus journeys during his visit to the city.

Earlier this year, despite having its budget slashed by around 25 per cent, the Department for Transport confirmed it remained committed to funding the A65 bus corridor, which will mean faster bus travel along Kirkstall Road.

The future of other transport schemes in Leeds, including the 250m New Generation Transport (NGT) trolleybus scheme and plans for a new entrance at Leeds rail station, remains in doubt.

Mr Baker was in Leeds to see construction work on the A65 Quality Bus Corridor scheme and hear how it will deliver improvements to bus travel along Kirkstall Road.

Mr Baker said: "This is a solid and innovative project which offers a real alternative to taking your car in and out of Leeds city centre.

“The issues of urban congestion are well documented, which is why the Government has reconfirmed nearly 20m towards this scheme. I have been very impressed with the progress being made not just on this project but across the city.”

The corridor will deliver new bus lanes to both sides of the road, together with cycle lanes and new or improved pedestrian crossings.

Earlier this year, Leeds City Council was awarded grant funding of almost 20m by the Department for Transport to construct the A65 Quality Bus Corridor. Preliminary work started in March and the corridor is on track to open in 2012.

Developed by Leeds City Council and Metro, the scheme will deliver more than three miles of new bus lanes to both sides of the road, plus cycle lanes and seven new or improved pedestrian crossings together with new bus shelters and passenger information displays.

Six busy bus services use the corridor serving destinations including Leeds Bradford Airport, Guiseley, Otley, Bradford and Keighley.

During the day, up to 28 buses per hour will use the route transporting around 7,500 passengers. It is estimated that the improvements should save passengers up to six minutes on their journeys to and from the city centre during the morning and evening rush hours.

The Minister also visited various other transport schemes in the city centre, including a new cycle hub facility at Leeds train station called Cyclepoint, which has parking for 300 bikes, plus rental bikes and a fully staffed bike maintenance and repair service.

Coun Richard Lewis, the council’s executive board member for development and regeneration, said yesterday: “It has been very encouraging to have the Transport Minister up to Leeds to see the great development work that is happening throughout the city.

“The Cyclepoint is a fantastic new facility and the building works to the A65 Quality Bus Corridor are progressing well, promising a marked improvement for commuters when the scheme is completed.

“Journey times will be reduced and buses will be more reliable and punctual all of which should make travel much easier for commuters,” he added.

Coun Ryk Downes, Metro’s deputy chairman, said the visit was an opportunity to show Mr Baker a key Leeds scheme.

The venture would make bus services along the route more attractive by improving peak-time journey times in and out of Leeds “which per a week means commuters could save up to an hour's travelling time".

joanne.ginley@ypn .co.uk