APPLRG Press Release

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PRESS RELEASE FROM THE ALL PARTY PARLIAMENTARY LIGHT RAIL GROUP25 January 2013PUSH FOR TRAMTRAIN LINK TO LEEDS-BRADFORD INTERNATIONAL AIRPORTAt a meeting of the All Party Parliamentary Light Rail Group on Tuesday 22 January Greg Mullholland MP outlined to an audience of cross-party MPs, and representatives from the Department for Transport, local government and the light rail industry the current progress on the planning of a TramTrain link to Leeds-Bradford International Airport (LBIA).The meeting followed a working lunch attended by Norman Baker MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport, West Yorkshire MPs and local government representatives to discuss a strategy for progressing the scheme. The cross-party support for the scheme is reflected in the selection of three local MPs to lead a campaign to promote the proposal: Greg Mulholland MP (LibDem, Leeds North West); Alec Shelbrooke MP (Con, Elmet and Rothwell); and Gerry Sutcliffe (Lab, Bradford South).It was emphasised that this is a once in lifetime opportunity for a lasting infrastructure benefit as opposed to many of the short term road solutions already proposed.After the meeting, Alec Shelbrooke said “The APPLRG meeting was invaluable for getting all political parties together as well as the major stakeholders to highlight the united aim we have in securing a TramTrain link to LBIA for the benefit of Leeds, Bradford, West Yorkshire and The North. It is crucial we act quickly and with coordination to achieve this outcome and I look forward to leading this with Gerry Sutcliffe and Greg Mulholland in the future.”BACKGROUNDThe Leeds City Region Transport Strategy (2009) contained a proposal for conversion of the Leeds-Harrogate-York Line to TramTrain operation, including a link to LBIA. More recently, the Harrogate Line Strategy (2012) proposed overhead electrification of the route (complementing other electrification schemes in the region), with TramTrain at either end of the route from LBIA via Horsforth to Leeds, and Poppleton to York. A link from LBIA to Bradford via Guiseley is also under consideration.Improved transport connectivity between Leeds, Bradford and LBIA is currently being examined for possible inclusion in the projects to go forward within the proposed £1 billion West Yorkshire Plus Transport Fund. NOTES FOR EDITORSThe All Party Parliamentary Light Rail Group is an independent forum for MPs and peers from all political parties and industry to come together and raise awareness of matters concerning light rail and tramways; their best practice and sustainable development.The All Party Parliamentary Light Rail Group holds regular inquiry sessions in order to provide a holistic package of policy proposals that will drive forward best practice, leading to affordable light rail and tramways with resultant physical and economic regeneration, carbon reduction, improved air quality, congestion relief and affordable transport to the UK and its citizens.