Leeds Trolleybus
Encyclopedia
A Leeds trolleybus system served the city of Leeds
, West Yorkshire
, England
between 1911 and 1928, and a very different new system for Leeds, known as the New Generation Transport - NGT project, is currently proposed.
The original Leeds system was one of the first two trolleybus
systems to be opened in the United Kingdom
, along with the Bradford
system. Both systems commenced operations on 20 June 1911. However, the public service on the Bradford system did not start until four days later. The original Leeds system had only three routes, and was closed as early as 26 July 1928.
If the proposed NGT project goes ahead, it will be the first non-heritage trolleybus system to be operated in the United Kingdom since the Bradford system closed down, in 1972. Its predicted ridership is 8-9 million passengers in the first year.
When the original Leeds system commenced operations, it had four trolleybuses. They were manufactured by the Railless Electric Traction Company, and powered by Siemens
engines. Each had solid rubber tyres, and carried 28 passengers, who paid their fares when boarding. Known officially as "trackless cars" to distinguish them from trams, they ran on rural routes, to which trams were not suited.
The original system had a stone-built depot at Guiseley
, which still exists. The initial route was later supplemented by two feeder routes, which radiated from the depot. The original system's three routes were as follows:
The original system was not hugely successful. There was also controversy between Leeds Corporation and the various councils over several issues relating to its operation. As time passed, internal combustion engined buses became more competitive. They soon replaced the original trolleybus system, which closed down on 26 July 1928.
The NGT trolleybus vehicles would likely be single articulated, single deck buses, with multiple doors (typically three or four sets). The vehicles would be fully DDA compliant with low floors to allow through movement by wheelchair users and those with buggies and prams.
in October 2009 In March 2010, the UK Government announced that the proposal had been awarded 'Programme Entry Approval'.
Funding was approved for the North Route to Bodington as well as an extension of trolleybus network 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 to St James's Hospital or a proposed full city centre loop.
However, the NGT trolleybus scheme is currently being reviewed (along with all major schemes) as part of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review.
Leeds
Leeds is a city and metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. In 2001 Leeds' main urban subdivision had a population of 443,247, while the entire city has a population of 798,800 , making it the 30th-most populous city in the European Union.Leeds is the cultural, financial and commercial...
, West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire
West Yorkshire is a metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of 2.2 million. West Yorkshire came into existence as a metropolitan county in 1974 after the passage of the Local Government Act 1972....
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
between 1911 and 1928, and a very different new system for Leeds, known as the New Generation Transport - NGT project, is currently proposed.
The original Leeds system was one of the first two trolleybus
Trolleybus
A trolleybus is an electric bus that draws its electricity from overhead wires using spring-loaded trolley poles. Two wires and poles are required to complete the electrical circuit...
systems to be opened in the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
, along with the Bradford
Bradford
Bradford lies at the heart of the City of Bradford, a metropolitan borough of West Yorkshire, in Northern England. It is situated in the foothills of the Pennines, west of Leeds, and northwest of Wakefield. Bradford became a municipal borough in 1847, and received its charter as a city in 1897...
system. Both systems commenced operations on 20 June 1911. However, the public service on the Bradford system did not start until four days later. The original Leeds system had only three routes, and was closed as early as 26 July 1928.
If the proposed NGT project goes ahead, it will be the first non-heritage trolleybus system to be operated in the United Kingdom since the Bradford system closed down, in 1972. Its predicted ridership is 8-9 million passengers in the first year.
The twentieth century system
The original Leeds system was operated by Leeds Tramways, and had one route, from City Square, Leeds, to Moor Top, via Lower Wortley and Farnley. It was launched at Thirsk Row, off Wellington Street, Leeds, on 20 June 1911. The first of two buses to set off on the first official run was driven by Leeds's then Lord Mayor, William Middlebrook, and the second by his deputy, Frederick James Kitson. Both buses went on a round trip to Farnley, four miles from Leeds, returning 45 minutes later.When the original Leeds system commenced operations, it had four trolleybuses. They were manufactured by the Railless Electric Traction Company, and powered by Siemens
Siemens
Siemens may refer toSiemens, a German family name carried by generations of telecommunications industrialists, including:* Werner von Siemens , inventor, founder of Siemens AG...
engines. Each had solid rubber tyres, and carried 28 passengers, who paid their fares when boarding. Known officially as "trackless cars" to distinguish them from trams, they ran on rural routes, to which trams were not suited.
The original system had a stone-built depot at Guiseley
Guiseley
Guiseley is a small town in the City of Leeds metropolitan borough in West Yorkshire, England. Situated south of Otley and Menston, it is a suburb of north west Leeds. At the 2001 census, Guiseley together with Rawdon had a population of over 21,000. The A65, which passes through the town, is the...
, which still exists. The initial route was later supplemented by two feeder routes, which radiated from the depot. The original system's three routes were as follows:
- Leeds–Lower Wortley–Farnley–Moor Top;
- Guiseley–OtleyOtley-Transport:The main roads through the town are the A660 to the south east, which connects Otley to Bramhope, Adel and Leeds city centre, and the A65 to the west, which goes to Ilkley and Skipton. The A6038 heads to Guiseley, Shipley and Bradford, connecting with the A65...
; - Guiseley–Burley-in-Wharfedale
The original system was not hugely successful. There was also controversy between Leeds Corporation and the various councils over several issues relating to its operation. As time passed, internal combustion engined buses became more competitive. They soon replaced the original trolleybus system, which closed down on 26 July 1928.
Proposed vehicles
Trolleybuses run on rubber tyres like a regular bus but they are powered by electricity from overhead wires. Trolleybuses have fast, smooth acceleration and are clean, quiet and don't pollute the local environment.The NGT trolleybus vehicles would likely be single articulated, single deck buses, with multiple doors (typically three or four sets). The vehicles would be fully DDA compliant with low floors to allow through movement by wheelchair users and those with buggies and prams.
Proposed routes
Three initial routes were planned to provide NGT links to North, South and East Leeds:- North Route - would start at a new Park & Ride site at Bodington (with up to 800 spaces) and go to Leeds City Centre;
- South Route - would start at a new Park & Ride site at StourtonStourton-Places:*Stourton, Staffordshire*Stourton, Warwickshire*Stourton, Leeds, area of Leeds, West Yorkshire*Stourton, Wiltshire*Stourton Caundle, Dorset*Stourton Park, home of Stourbridge R.F.C.-People:*Barony of Stourton*Edward Stourton , BBC presenter...
(with up to 2,200 spaces) and go to Leeds City Centre; and - East Route - would connect Leeds City Centre to St James's Hospital.
Progress of the NGT proposal
A 'Major Scheme Business Case' for the NGT proposal was submitted to the UK Department for TransportDepartment for Transport
In the United Kingdom, the Department for Transport is the government department responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which are not devolved...
in October 2009 In March 2010, the UK Government announced that the proposal had been awarded 'Programme Entry Approval'.
Funding was approved for the North Route to Bodington as well as an extension of trolleybus network to Holt Park; the South Route to Stourton
Stourton
-Places:*Stourton, Staffordshire*Stourton, Warwickshire*Stourton, Leeds, area of Leeds, West Yorkshire*Stourton, Wiltshire*Stourton Caundle, Dorset*Stourton Park, home of Stourbridge R.F.C.-People:*Barony of Stourton*Edward Stourton , BBC presenter...
and a section of the city centre loop linking these two lines. The Government did not approve funding for the East Route to St James's Hospital or a proposed full city centre loop.
However, the NGT trolleybus scheme is currently being reviewed (along with all major schemes) as part of the Government's Comprehensive Spending Review.
See also
- List of trolleybus systems in the United Kingdom
- Transport in LeedsTransport in LeedsTransport within Leeds consists of extensive road, bus and rail networks. The city has good rail and road links to the rest of the country. Leeds railway station is one of the busiest in Britain. Leeds is connected to the national road network via the A1 motorway, M1 motorway and M62 motorway...