Petition launched to help save Leeds trolleybus scheme

Campaigning organisation 38 Degrees has launched a fight to protect £250 million of government funding for the threatened Leeds trolleybus scheme. The coalition government is expected to make a final decision about the New Generation Transport scheme's future in an autumn spending review of the previous government's spending commitments. 38 Degrees aims to get large numbers of Leeds people involved to put pressure on the new government not to cut the scheme. The organisation polled thousands of members based in Leeds asking if they wanted to launch a campaign to save the trolleybus scheme - 73% of the 1,352 Leeds members backed the campaign. The organisation has now launched an online petition demanding Chief Secretary to the Treasury Danny Alexander and Transport Minister Philip Hammond commit funding to the scheme. Stephen Belfield, a 38 Degrees member from Ash Terrace, Headingley, said: "Our poll shows our members agree: the trolleybus is the best option available for Leeds at the moment. "We've had enough missed opportunities. Let's work together to make sure Leeds finally gets a decent transport system. "I think there is a lot of hope left - the government said last week that no decision has yet been made to rule the scheme in or out. I think it is somethign that will go through - it's an important scheme for the city." Routes approved The Labour government earlier this year granted Programme Entry Approval to the NGT Trolleybus scheme and allocated funding for the North Route to Bodington, the South Route to Stourton and a city centre link between these routes. In addition the government also gave approval to a proposed extension of the North Route to serve the Holt Park area. The government did not fund the East Route to St James's Hospital or the full city centre loop. Work is currently under way to investigate alternative means of funding these sections of the Leeds trolleybus network. To sign the 38 Degrees petition asking the government to commit funding to the scheme, go to www.38degrees.org.uk/page/s/trolleybus. * The 38 Degrees name is taken from the critical angle at which an avalanche happens. It aims to build a movement of 850,000 people in four years to achieve a tipping point for social and political change. 38 Degrees launched in June 2009, and is the fastest growing political movement in the UK with over 150,000 members. Do you think the Leeds trolleybus scheme will survive government cuts? Have your say in the comments section below.