Three routes formed the initial proposal …\n

… and there was much rejoicing in the marbled corridors of Leeds Town Hall.<\/p>\n

In many ways, the initial scheme was modest.<\/p><\/div>\n

North route<\/span> – from a new park & ride site at Bodington (up to 800 spaces) to Leeds city centre;<\/span>\n

South route<\/span> – from a new park & ride site at Stourton (up to 2,200 spaces) to Leeds city centre;\u00a0<\/span>\n

East route – from Leeds city centre to St James’s Hospital. This route was later withdrawn from the proposals<\/span>.\n

If the colouring means anything, you would assumer that these routes would operate cross city, thus mirroring one of the failed tram routes!<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

The North route<\/span> was a good one to choose as it is very busy with buses and would benefit from he increase in speed that was proposed.\n

<\/p><\/span><\/div>\n

It was all looking great for a prompt start in the road widening and junction rebuilding that would be necessary to give the swish continental-style trolleybuses a slick route.<\/p><\/div>\n

There was a snag! There would have to be a Public Enquiry.<\/div>\n

Oh dear! There is many a slip betwixt trolleybus proposal cup and trolleybus delivery lip!<\/div>\n

One problem was the list of buildings that would need to be demolished.<\/div>\n

Several buildings were set to be demolished to accommodate the scheme, all of these lie on the Northern leg of the route. The buildings are as follows:<\/span><\/div>\n

A parade of eight shops at Hyde Park Corner\n

A former stable block and lodge building at the former Leeds Girls High School<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p><\/span><\/div>\n

A terrace block within Headingley Business Park, between Headingley Lane and Victoria Road<\/span>\n

The aybive two pictures are typical but may not be the actual parades to be demolished.<\/span><\/p><\/div>\n

A residential brick built villa on Wood Lane, Headingley<\/span><\/div>\n

The former First Church of Christ Scientist building on Alma Road, Headingley which is currently used as offices\n

Changing rooms and a groundsmans’ cottage at the University of Leeds site in Weetwood<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/p><\/span><\/div>\n

Add to this a considerable number of road layout changes; thus the protests were considerable.\n

Oddly, the campaign did not seem to be concerned about tunning lots of left hand drive trolleybuses along the A660!\u00a0<\/p><\/span><\/div>\n

But, more seriously, the antagonism was vociferous.\n

<\/p><\/span>\n

The outcome of the Public Enquiry was not unexpected. Here is a summary of the progress of the the scheme.<\/p><\/div>\n

A ‘Major Scheme Business Case’ was submitted to the Department for Transport in October 2009 In March 2010, the Government announced that the proposal had been awarded ‘Programme Entry Approval’.<\/span><\/div>\n

Funding was approved for the North Route to Bodington and an extension to Holt Park, the South Route to Stourton and a section of the city centre loop linking these two lines. The government did not approve funding for the East Route or a full city centre loop.<\/span><\/div>\n

The DfT approved the Holt Park – Stourton route on 5 July 2012. The planned scheme was subject to a public Inquiry in 2014.<\/span><\/div>\n

Following a negative report from the Public Inquiry, the proposed scheme was cancelled in May 2016<\/span>.<\/span><\/div>\n<\/div>\n

So huge amounts of money were spent by Leeds City Council on the preparations, all to no avail.<\/div>\n

Tomorrow we look at Attempt Three<\/span>.<\/div>\n

This comes with a secret weapon.\n

Who could resist that endearing smile – OR – that controversial parliamentary frock?<\/p>\n

Saving The Planet Part 237<\/span><\/div>\n

<\/p><\/div>\n

Told You So, 1 … Solar Panels\n

<\/p><\/span>Told You So, 2 … Turbine Blades\n

<\/p>\n

Told You So, 3 … Power Stations<\/p>\n