D Day For East Leeds As Supertram Decision Looms (Leeds Liberal Democrats)

Leeds Liberal Democrats <info@leedslibdems.org.uk>

D Day For East Leeds As Supertram Decision Looms

March 8, 2005 1:24 AM

Gipton and Harehills Cllrs Javaid Akhtar and Alan Taylor have thrown their support behind Leeds Supertram bid, stressing that should the city get the go ahead the benefits for East Leeds would be extensive. Today a cross party delegation from Leeds City Council has descended upon Whitehall to lobby Alistair Darling, Secretary of State for Transport. Cllr Akhtar and Cllr Taylor are keen to highlight that a green light for Supertram would open up transport links to East Leeds and bring much needed accessibility to some of the city's most deprived wards.

Cllr Javaid Akhtar (Lib Dem, Gipton and Harehills) said, "Should Supertram get the go ahead the benefits for East Leeds would be massive. An efficient and modern transport infrastructure would breath new life into the area.

Supertram would provide a lifeline for those who have yet to feel the benefits of the City's success. People who have up to now have found it difficult to access other parts of Leeds will benefit from much improved links to other parts of the City, and potentially thousands of job opportunities that have so far been out of reach."

Cllr Alan Taylor (Lib Dem, Gipton and Harehills) added, "Supertram would encourage businesses to relocate to the East Leeds area, an area that has a willing workforce but one that is sadly under used. The East Leeds line will also provide a safe and speedy route to the City's School's and Universities as well as a vital link to St James Hospital. This is an opportunity that we cannot afford to miss ? an opportunity that will go a long way towards 'closing the gap'."

· Leeds has ten of the most deprived wards in the UK. Supertram will

provide vital links for six of these wards including Gipton and Harehills.

· Three main regeneration target areas have been identified along the

routes as part of the Leeds Neighbourhood Renewal Strategy. Supertram will be key to their regeneration, acting as a catalyst for improving the environment, opening up new opportunities for investment in housing, education and jobs, and connecting the target neighbourhoods with the rest of the city.

· It will also provide much improved access to areas identified as

being in need of regeneration investment through the Single Regeneration Budget and links with other parts of the city such as the city's bus and rail stations, its universities and two main hospitals.

· http://www.leeds-supertram.co.uk/Routes/EastLeedsLine.htm