The Government today confirmed a funding package of nearly £174m to improve transport in Leeds.
Transport minister Andrew Jones confirmed the £173.5m in funding would go towards high frequency ‘busways’, improved park and ride facilities and better stops and signs.
The multimillion pound investment includes new integrated bus corridors, with segregated lanes and real time information for passengers making journeys in and around the city centre.
‘New segregated bus corridors and investment in park and ride schemes will be a huge benefit to people who live and work in Leeds, and those who visit the city,’ said Mr Jones.
‘This investment will make public transport in Leeds more accessible and reduce journey times.
‘Better transport facilities don’t just help people get around, they help them get on – connecting them to jobs and helping to deliver economic growth in the north.’
The West Yorkshire Combined Authority will receive the money over a four year period with £21m in 2017/18, £48.7m in 2018/19, £49.1m in 2019/20, and £54.7m in 2020/21.
Leader of Leeds City Council Judith Blake said: ‘We are delighted that the Department for Transport has given its support for our plans which have the potential to transform public transport in Leeds, with improvements we can deliver in the coming years in keeping with what the people of Leeds told us they want to see.
‘That is making it quicker and easier for everyone to be able to move around the city as well as connecting people and businesses to places and jobs, increasing productivity and supporting major economic growth areas.’
West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport chair Cllr Keith Wakefield said: ‘These plans to build on successful developments on the county’s rail and bus networks are in line with the combined authority’s aim of developing a modern integrated transport network that benefits the whole of Leeds City Region.’