Underground gas and water pipes will be moved this year but construction work on Metro’s Supertram system will not start until 2004.

The initial aim is to create a 20-mile network of three lines by 2007.

The £500million scheme was approved by the Government in March.

Now the West Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive has commissioned consultants FaberMaunsell to undertake a feasibility study into other areas where additional light rapid transit schemes could be developed.

The locations identified will be judged on how strong they are as a "business case". Successful candidates will be included in Metro's future local transport plans.

Metro is keen to see the benefits of light rapid transport spread to other parts of West Yorkshire at the earliest opportunity.

The six-month study Metro has commissioned will draw together the combined transportation and engineering infrastructure skills of FaberMaunsell to assess the patronage potential, engineering and operational feasibility of an extended system.

FaberMaunsell will work closely with five district councils and other key stakeholders. A key output of the study will be the production of a prioritised list of recommendations, including both potential extensions to the committed Leeds Supertram network and potential additional routes that may be based on alternative forms of rapid transit.

Metro director general Kieran Preston sees the study as an important stepping-stone on the path towards increased public transport use and the reduction of road congestion on key corridors across the county.

Many of the questions which have come from the public during the Leeds Supertram roadshows at various locations around the city have been about future developments after the initial 28km network is complete, he explained.

The development of the first three routes is obviously popular and well supported and people are asking where next?

Metro views this as a key study in relation to future public transport development in West Yorkshire, and reflect our vision for high-quality public transport across West Yorkshire.

FaberMaunsell's Project Manager, Dave Haskins, said: We are delighted to be involved in such an exciting project. The three lines will serve

SOUTH LEEDS including the city centre, Hunslet, Middleton, Tingley and Stourton.

NORTH LEEDS including the universities, Headingley and Lawnswood.

EAST LEEDS including Burmantofts, St James’s Harehills, Seacroft and Whinmoor.

More information: www.leeds-supertram.co.uk Metro PR Office on 0113 251 7214 Martin.Driver at wypte.gov.uk