At a meeting on Friday 25 March, the West Yorkshire’s Integrated Transport Authority Executive Board gave the go-ahead for the Leeds FreeCityBus to be replaced with a LeedsCityBus service with a 50p flat fare for each journey.
Metro has stepped in to organise the trial in response to widespread concerns about the possible axing of the FreeCityBus service, due to funding cuts, and the many public comments by people saying they would be willing to pay to use it.

The new Cycle Point at Leeds city station is now open for business. The re-modelled, two-storey, glazed building is situated underneath the existing canopy near the taxi rank and accommodates 300 cycle stands along with a staffed retail and repair area. It’s a welcome addition to those who prefer a greener mode of travel.

City House – developers Bruntwood have unveiled their plans to redevelop the building, which sits almost on top of the railway station. The newly clad building will be faced mainly in a glazed curtain walling system which will not only dramatically improve the appearance of the building but will also change the skyline and, hopefully, improve the experience of travellers arriving at and leaving this entrance to the station.

Over 99% of the Morgans portfolio of city centre properties are currently occupied, which is a record. With little new supply coming to the market over the next few years, this looks likely to remain the case for some time. Experts across sectors are predicting a permanent expansion in the private rented sector and with some encouragement from the recent budget, it may be time for the larger institutions, such as insurance companies and funds, to re-enter the market.

Plans for a new £14.4m southern entrance to Leeds Station have been given the go-ahead by transport secretary Philip Hammond. Metro chairman Councilor Chris Greaves said: “This announcement that our revised bid for the scheme has been approved will be extremely good news for the thousands of rail passengers from across West Yorkshire for whom the new entrance will mean quicker and more convenient daily access to train services. The project, which could be completed by the end of 2013, will also go some way to improving the station?s status as a gateway to Leeds.

Earthworks on the 13,500 capacity Leeds Arena have now started with diggers moving on to the city centre building site to break the ground. The work represents a landmark in the construction of the concert and events venue as the two-year building program gets underway.
Councilor Richard Lewis, the Leeds City Council executive member responsible for city development, said: “This is a very exciting phase of what is a hugely important £60m construction project for Leeds. “The arena will bring an additional one million visitors to the city. Construction is expected to complete by 2013.