Leeds trolleybus scheme public inquiry ends

The proposed route will run past the city's universities

A public inquiry into a £250m trolleybus system for Leeds has ended.

The six-month long hearing was into a proposed nine-mile (14.8km) route from the city centre to the north and south of the city.

The Leeds New Generation Transport trolleybus system (NGT) is supported by the The West Yorkshire Combined Authority and Leeds City Council.

The inquiry inspector is expected to make his recommendations to the transport secretary by May.

If approved, the system will see buses powered by overhead cables travelling along a largely segregated roadway passing the city's universities, the First Direct Arena, Leeds General Infirmary Trinity Leeds, Brewery Wharf and New Dock.

Labour councillor James Lewis, transport chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, claimed the case for NGT was "compelling."

The North West Leeds Transport Forum (NWLTF) claimed in its submission to the inquiry that the project was "fundamentally flawed".