TRANSPORT in the region has been underfunded, Metro bosses say.
Plans to make it more sustainable have been welcomed as the chair of Metro says action needs to be taken quickly to resolve the issue.
Metro wants to add more low-carbon transport to its fleet, but they need the public’s backing when the Department for Transport hold a regional consultation into the allocation of £20bn of future funding.
It comes as research released by the DfT shows there has been decades of under investment in the transport infrastructure.
Metro chairman Clr Ryk Downes said: “If there is going to be, as the government is claiming, a robust regional consultation exercise which will decide the allocation of future funding, we have to welcome the news because there can be no doubt that the findings will show transport in our region has been underfunded and action needs to be taken quickly.”
Business leaders and local authorities have already added their views about the government’s under-spending on transport, but Metro wants residents throughout Kirklees and Calderdale to make their views known.
Clr Downes added: “And unlike in the past when we have been in a situation where Department for Transport money has already been allocated, this is a debate about unallocated funds, which is an opportunity for the imbalance to be redressed.
“However, this consultation is all about transport funding beyond 2012 which is still five years away.”
Metro has been told they will be getting up to 90 extra rail carriages to meet current demand.
“If the government really does want to support economic growth in our region, it needs to work with us so that we start developing those sustainable low-carbon transport systems that Metro and its partners what to achieve, now,” Clr Downes added.
The consultation process is expected to take place before Christmas with experts and users. With potential of further significant investment nationally, the views of transport users could help Metro secure more funding.
