MP calls for new district rail link
WETHERBY could have its rail link re-installed if plans for a complete overhaul of West Yorkshire's transport network gets the go-ahead.
Speaking to the Wetherby News this week Elmet & Rothwell MP Alec Shelbrooke said he is committed to bringing the “vital” service back to the town which was closed under the Beeching Axe in 1964.
However he warned work won’t start until money from the Government is released. If it does get the green light he added the scheme is unlikely to be finished until 2030.
“The point is we need to get a rail link into Wetherby,” he said.
“But this is not going to be achieved in my term as MP, it could come in the next 20 years or so. We can’t put a date on the development.
“There will be a branch line going into Wetherby which will probably link to the Selby line.”
Mr Shelbrooke is part of the newly formed “Team Leeds”, a group of MPs who have been designated specific areas to help improve the city and its surrounding districts.
They will be drawing up a transport masterplan outlining the projects needed to keep Leeds moving during the next 20 years.
The document will be a wishlist of the schemes regarded as the top priorities for when the current squeeze on public spending finally ends.
It was agreed to draw up the blueprint at the inaugural Team Leeds meeting.
“The idea is that when money becomes available, it is there to be picked up off the shelf,” added Mr Shelbrooke who wouldn’t put a cost on the ambitious project.
“These might not be things that be funded now, but we can do the work on them now.”
The document will look at the pros and cons of monorail and light rail systems and will even examine the Newcastle underground Metro network.
An initial report will be prepared by December and the full document by next summer.
“This is a real long term project but one I’m determined to get off the ground.”
l What do you think about Mr Shelbrooke’s plans to bring rail link back to Wetherby? Email us at wetherby.news@ypn.co.uk with your thoughts.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Ripon
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 16 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: East
