Residents, employees, and visitors in Leeds are being urged to provide feedback on plans aimed at enhancing key routes for alternative modes of travel, such as walking, wheeling*, and cycling.
The proposals are geared towards improving the layout of city centre streets, with the goal of making Leeds a more navigable place and establishing a friendlier, safer environment for all who come to or pass through the city.
The consultation is centred on modifications to the northern and southern sectors of the city centre, spanning from Great George Street (proximate to Leeds General Infirmary) to Call Lane. This initiative is aligned with the council’s aspiration to mould Leeds into a ‘city where you don’t rely on a car’ for transportation, where everyone has an economical and accessible zero-carbon alternative for travel.
In addition to expanding options for secure and alternative travel, the consultation targets enhancements in the city’s focal zones, including wider pavements, areas for greenery, and prospects for street cafés.
The Leeds City Links consultation forms part of a larger suite of transformative projects in the city centre. The closure of City Square has curtailed pass-through traffic from the area, thus allowing surplus road space to be repurposed for safer routes catering to alternative travel options and places for leisure.
Planned improvements encompass:
Broadened pavements, facilitating safer and more convenient strolls in the city centre.
More secure and convenient crossing points at pivotal intersections, including the bustling Merrion Street junction.
Fresh pedestrian and cycle user crossings.
Prospects for street cafés along Great George Street.
Sheltered cycle paths, supplementing the existing 10km of safeguarded cycle tracks in the city centre.
Prospects for enhanced green spaces along the route.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for sustainable development and infrastructure, said; “These new plans to transform the way people get around the city centre will help provide safer routes for alternative travel options for those that live, work in or visit our city.
“The delivery of major city centre schemes, like the closure of City Square, have helped to reduce general through traffic and free up space for greener and healthier travel choices.
“Importantly, the plans also make busy junctions in the city centre safer for pedestrians and cycle users, working towards the Vision Zero Strategy of eliminating road deaths and serious injuries on Leeds roads by 2040.
“I’d urge everyone that uses the area to have their say in the consultation.”
This scheme is being developed by Leeds City Council in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.
Tracy Brabin, Mayor of West Yorkshire, said; “A reliable and inclusive transport network, which prioritises walking, cycling and public transport, is key to our plans for a stronger and better-connected region.
“This scheme is part of a multi-million-pound package of investment to help us achieve that.
“Your opinion matters, so please make the most of this opportunity to have your say and shape the proposals.”
Residents, businesses, and all city visitors are urged to contribute their opinions on the proposals before the survey concludes on 19th November.
The survey can be completed online at this link, or by attending drop-in events at:
Leeds Art Gallery on 24th October, from 11:00-13:00 and 13:30-15:00.
Leeds Minster on 1st November, from 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-18:00.
