Spotlight falls on transport as panel discusses Leeds’ future

A new panel has gathered in Leeds for the first time to discuss the future of the area’s transport strategy.

Launched by Leeds City Council, the advisory panel represents the next element of the biggest-ever transport conversation held with the city’s residents, businesses and visitors.

The panel was chaired by Nigel Foster, director of strategy for Transport for the North, and includes a number of leading transport experts, senior figures from various transport bodies and representatives of business, education, planning, equalities, accessibility and campaign groups.

Meeting again at the end of November and then every quarter, the panel will advise and review the development of Leeds’ long-term strategy.

The conversation started after the government turned down the proposed New Generation Transport (NGT) scheme in Leeds earlier this year, following which £173.5m in funding for the scheme was retained to invest in the city’s public transport infrastructure.

In response, the council hosted a summit in June and launched its survey to kick start the transport conversation.

The panel’s work adds to community sessions held across the city to discuss all aspects of transport in Leeds.

City council Leader Cllr Judith Blake said: “We are delighted this panel of industry experts and representatives from a wide range of fields and transport user groups have agreed to give up their time to join the conversation and offer their views and guidance on the long-term transport strategy for Leeds.

“Together with everyone else who has offered their views, their thoughts will be invaluable in helping to shape the future of transport in our city.”

She added: “Having more than six thousand responses to the survey has been great but we need as many more people as we can to tell us what they think before the survey run ends tomorrow.”

Nigel Foster commented: “The panel has been specially selected for its broad range of specific experience, bringing together recognised leaders in the different fields of transport from across the UK.

“There are two principal areas that the council is seeking advice from the panel: how best to utilise the £173.5m originally allocated for transport improvements and also, to advise on the approach and development of the medium and longer term transport strategy.”

He continued: “The panel will work with the council to take on board the views from the transport conversation, and success will be measured by achieving a step change in the public transport provision for residents, businesses and visitors to Leeds.”