Calls for better public transport have resurfaced in Leeds as a major new cycling and walking scheme, designed to link the north and south of the city centre, is set to begin in January.
The council says the £12.76m “transformative” project will change how people move around the city, with new segregated cycle lanes, wider pavements and changes to traffic layouts.
In the northern part of the city centre, there are plans to give more space to people rather than cars. This includes room for outdoor cafés, fewer parking spaces and improved pedestrian crossings.
Further south, streets between Leeds Minster and Shears Yard will be overhauled. A new two-way, segregated cycle track will be added, with one traffic lane being permanently removed.
Some residents are looking forward to the changes. Rachel Lindsay said on X: “Thanks for continuing to invest in cycling. Excited for them to finish.”
However, the announcement has also prompted renewed calls for improvements to public transport and accessibility, particularly after progress on the £2.5bn tram project was delayed and pushed into the late 2030s.
Ryan Alexander Pride said on Facebook that “the centre of Leeds is slowly becoming less and less accessible.
“Getting a train or a bus to turn up on time, or even at all, is equally a nightmare. If you can’t rely on our transport system, and the road system is inadequate, what really is the point?”
Chris Johns added: “Literally anything but transit in Leeds, isn’t it?”
Leeds City Council said the scheme would help improve safety and accessibility as part of wider transport plans for the city.
Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said: “Leeds City Links is the next major transformation to Leeds City Centre.
“It will create safer, greener and more inclusive spaces that encourage walking and cycling, helping residents move around in sustainable ways while reducing the risk of road deaths and serious injuries, in line with our Vision Zero 2040 strategy, alongside supporting the city’s growth ambitions.”
Vision Zero 2040 aims to end all traffic deaths and serious injuries across West Yorkshire by 2040.
The project, which is due to start on 5 January and is expected to take more than 12 months, will involve a number of road closures and diversions.
For example, Great George Street will be temporarily closed between Dudley Way and Woodhouse Lane from 26 January for around 11 weeks. The road behind Leeds Town Hall will also be reduced to a single lane.
The project is being funded through the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement, which the council says is part of wider efforts to invest in public transport, walking and cycling across England.
-1024x680.jpg "“Clear anti-cyclist bias”: Lawsuit filed against Toronto police after cop doored cyclist… before ticketing rider over incident")
5 thoughts on “Leeds £12m “transformative” walking and cycle lane project set to begin”
Much needed investment
Much needed investment
delighted
Recent progress on cycle
Recent progress on cycle infrastructure in Leeds has been excellent, this scheme will begin to link-up with other (completed) schemes. It won’t be long before the network of city centre and peripheral cycle lanes will be transformative. You will be able to cycle on protected lanes from suburban Leeds to, and through, the city centre. A major scheme is nearing completion on the A660, down from Headingley to the city centre via the University. Improved junctions and protected cycle lanes all the way over a 2-3 mile distance. One negative in Leeds is the proposed PSPO to ban all cycling within the pedestrianised city centre core – all to tackle the “illegal” food delivery riders.
Thanks for local info! It
Thanks for local info! It sounds hopeful.
I am a little cautious given the quality (not) of the Leeds-Bradford cycle route back in the day…
https://aseasyasridingabike.wordpress.com/2016/08/11/a-visit-to-the-leeds-bradford-cycle-superhighway/
… but that is now time ago!
Very interesting link,
Very interesting link, especially as I’m at daughter’s in N. Leeds. Daughter had never heard of it, even though she travels often to Bradford. I can see why
I used to cycle in Leeds (on
Good luck to your daughter. I used to cycle in Leeds (on roads) when I lived there time ago. It was … OK… but I was younger!
Not surprised about lack of knowledge. Much UK cycle infra is still essentially “adventure level” and “once you’re in the tribe, you might discover it”. Which I used to enjoy … but now seems embarrassing compared to more sensible places.
Recently had a conversation with a neighbour in which they noted my cycling and wished their family would. I pointed out that locally much of it is actually easy, convenient and feels safe (in daylight…). Why? The North Edinburgh path network starts literally across the road. This is a completely motor-car-free, metalled, maintained, fairly wide, continuous shared use path network. It runs for miles, to the shops, railway station, town …
… And apparently this was simply not on their radar. To the average person with a car (or just “not a cyclist”), all they can see is the road…