The Prime Minister Gordon Brown was asked if his government favoured London and the South East for investment at the expense of West Yorkshire.
He claimed, “We are investing in every part of the country and the government is making £724m available to regions with major transport schemes this year, as well as investing a further £672 million.
“I don’t think it is true to say that transport spending has been skewed to one particular area. In every part of the country we are spending (on) transport according to the needs of these different areas.”
The Liberal Democrats of Leeds North West said, “It is interesting to hear that Gordon Brown thinks his Government allocates transport spending according to need.
“Well he should come to the Leeds area in rush hour and sit in the traffic jams on our roads or try to squeeze onto out trains then he would realise what we need which is real investment on transport and a fair deal compared to other areas.”
Critics of the government assert that the disparity is also evident with the agreement to bankroll London’s £16bn Crossrail system
This was seen as a direct snub to Leeds as they had already refused to fund the Leeds Supertram.
Concerns were also raised over the disparity in funding for roads and rail funding between Yorkshire and the rest of the country.
During 2006/07, £104 was allocated per person in West Yorkshire, the disparity is apparent in transport spending on London with each person being allocated £399.
Both Labour and Liberal Democratic parties in
Leeds agree that Gordon Brown persistently ignores the plight of the commuters in West Yorkshire.
However the Prime Minister insisted Leeds transport network was not in need of large investment.
He explained that all monies allocated to Leeds, was more than enough for the development of its transport networks.
SOURCE:
Yorkshire Evening Post
