Leeds trolleybus scheme delayed further

tuskey · Post by **tuskey** » Sat 07 Jul, 2012 7:30 pm

hi to all, having read through what everyone thinks about the new transport what is coming in the next few years, i think it's a crying shame that the childrens heart unit has to close, but they can find money for rubbish transport schemes, that will never happen.

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Sat 07 Jul, 2012 7:33 pm

tuskey wrote: hi to all, having read through what everyone thinks about the new transport what is coming in the next few years, i think it's a crying shame that the childrens heart unit has to close, but they can find money for rubbish transport schemes, that will never happen. Yes, I think that's more government than local this time, they do have to find money to fund the Olympic games this year, a few hospitals closed should do the trick nicely.

book · Post by **book** » Sat 07 Jul, 2012 8:21 pm

tuskey wrote: hi to all, having read through what everyone thinks about the new transport what is coming in the next few years, i think it's a crying shame that the childrens heart unit has to close, but they can find money for rubbish transport schemes, that will never happen. Hmm, if I had a poorly child I would dread to think I had to travel to Newcastle for treatment and visiting, disgusting decision.

jim · Post by **jim** » Sat 07 Jul, 2012 8:25 pm

Have I misunderstood something here? As far as I know the Children's Heart Unit in Leeds will remain open for non-surgical treatment, and for care both before and after surgery. What is to be moved is the actual surgical service itself, for which patients will be transferred for just the amount of time required for surgery and stabilisation. All other care will be in Leeds as before. The case for doing this is that the core surgical skills are best concentrated at fewer centres properly placed.Whilst I fully agree that there was - and is still - a question over whether the siting of these centres has been well thought out (I can understand Newcastle, but think that Leeds is geographically more relevant than Liverpool) we should not be making statements that go beyond what has actually taken place. To do this plays straight into the hands of the supporters of other sites in any argument/appeal.For those who missed it at the bottom of the previous page, there is an equally contentious posting on Leeds government funding (or the lack of it)

Johnny39 · Post by **Johnny39** » Sat 07 Jul, 2012 8:31 pm

Looking on from outside Leeds, I get the distinct impression that things are more and more geared towards Sheffield and S. Yorkshire, especially "Look North" TV news. Am I wrong?

book · Post by **book** » Sat 07 Jul, 2012 8:55 pm

Johnny39 wrote: Looking on from outside Leeds, I get the distinct impression that things are more and more geared towards Sheffield and S. Yorkshire, especially "Look North" TV news. Am I wrong? Yes I think you are right. I've wondered for some time why an investor hasn't produced a West Yorks news channel, the population of Leeds alone deserves more news coverage than Look North and Calendar broadcasts. Anyone fancy it? I'd be up for it.

jdbythesea · Post by **jdbythesea** » Sat 07 Jul, 2012 10:18 pm

Johnny39 wrote: Looking on from outside Leeds, I get the distinct impression that things are more and more geared towards Sheffield and S. Yorkshire, especially "Look North" TV news. Am I wrong? The only "Look North" version that I can get where I now live is broadcast from Hull and presented by Peter Levy. It is, frankly, dire and very blinkered. The BBC viewers living in Hull (and Lincolnshire) are well looked after but the rest of Yorkshire is very rarely mentioned. "Calendar" may not be wonderful but it's like a breath of fresh air compared to "Look North" from 'ull.What's this got to do with trolleybuses? Oops, sorry.JD

BLAKEY · Post by **BLAKEY** » Sat 07 Jul, 2012 11:52 pm

Johnny39 wrote: [Thanks for the info Blakey. I don't recall where my misinformation came from, it was just something that was stuck in my mind. Did t.b's ever run on Leeds roads in times past? I remember seeing them in Bradford and I think they were blue in colour but as usual I'm probably wrong. Believe it or not Johnny, Leeds and Bradford started running trolleybuses on the same day in 1915 and the Leeds ones ran until 1928. Bradford of course went on to have a superb extensive system which was the last one in the Country when it finally closed in 1972 - and yes the Bradford ones were blue and cream.The three routes in Leeds - well only one actually IN Leeds - were :-Aire Street - Whitehall Road - New Farnley (Woodcock)Guiseley White Cross - Otley MaypoleGuiseley White Cross - Burley in Wharfedale Station Road, (intended to be extended to Ilkley but never was)The trolleybuses for the two Wharfedale routes were housed in the Leeds City Tramways Depot which still remains and has the Department's name on the eastern gable to this day. The trolleys occupied the Bradford Road side of the building.

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Sun 08 Jul, 2012 8:59 am

Here's the Leeds T bus website.http://www.tbus.org.uk/leeds.htmThe most interesting route map is herehttp://www.tbus.org.uk/leedsnetwork.htmI like the Northern route especially, I find the much hyped ''guided T bus lanes' to be a massive incentive for people to now use this mode of transport, all 692 yards of segregated guided T bus lane, yes...all 692 yards of it.I now believe even this short section has been knocked back and won't be going around the back of the Arndale centre at Headingley due to public opposition? If so, the Northern route now has nil yards of guided busway. The Southern route has little over a 1000 yards segregated lanes totalled together in bits n pieces, the Southern route in my opinion takes in probably the least residential part of Leeds you could possibly pick.

Phill_dvsn · Post by **Phill_dvsn** » Sun 08 Jul, 2012 10:50 am

Just been looking how other comparable Northern cities to Leeds have gone on with transport schemes over the years.*Manchester metro link*Construction started in 1988 and the first line was up and running to passengers in 1992.The tram system is currently undergoing major expansion with four new lines under construction by 2016, and further potential extensions to Stockport and the Trafford Centre.Once completed, the extensions will increase the system's length from 37 to 97 kilometres (23 to 60 mi) with at least 105 stops and on completion, Greater Manchester will have the largest tram network in the United Kingdom with a daily ridership of approximately 190,000.More herehttp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_Metrolink*Sheffield supertram*The first section was open in 1994/1995http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Supertram_%28Sheffield%29Tyne and Wear Metro.Incredibly first open way back in 1980.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tyne_and_Wear_MetroIt is the second largest of the three rapid transit metro systems in the UK, after the London Underground; the other being Glasgow Subway. *The Leeds supertram time line in comparison*http://www.bbc.co.uk/leeds/content/arti ... .shtmlMost interestingly it dates way back to 1989 with not an inch of track being laid!!