The concept of a supertram running between the centres of Bradford and Leeds via Pudsey is an exciting one. The route runs through heavily-populated areas. Providing the residents with a fast and reliable transport link unhindered by the motorised traffic on the roads would have many advantages for commuters and shoppers alike.

It could certainly help to boost Bradford's shopping scene as well as Leeds's, given the time-scale involved. Even if the Government was to agree to the new, cheaper scheme due to be put to transport minister Tony McNulty on March 7, it would be some years before the route was up and running. By that time the Broadway regeneration would be completed, allowing Bradford to offer much better shopping opportunities and helping to attract further inward investment.

The big problem is likely to be cost. Although a useful sum has been shaved off the initial estimate through careful rethinking of the route, it is still going to be an expensive enterprise. It has yet to be shown how this investment will be recouped.

Would it guarantee enough passengers (the Passenger Transport Authority is predicting 19 million a year) to pay for itself over a period of years? Would the beneficial impact on the environment through reduced traffic and fewer buses prove worth the money?

Given the massive expenditure involved, a very convincing case will need to be made to Mr McNulty if the Bradford-Leeds supertram scheme is to be given the blessing which will enable it to get off the drawing board.