£20m works to start on transforming key part of city centre

Bus services and stops in Leeds city centre will change from September as Connecting Leeds starts major works on The Headrow.

Leeds City Council’s Connecting Leeds programme aims to transform transport in the city centre into world-class gateways for bus users, pedestrians and cyclists, while continuing to provide access for businesses.

The total package of works should sees £20.7m invested in schemes including; the Headrow, Westgate, Vicar Lane between The Headrow and North Street, New Briggate, Infirmary Street and Park Row, Cookridge Street and small lengths of streets linking these together.

Once complete, Vicar Lane will be two-way for buses and some general traffic, removing the bottleneck on The Headrow. This will facilitate the closure of traffic to the lower section of New Briggate, which will provide an opportunity to further enhance the pedestrian experience.

The plans aim to improve bus reliability, making bus use and walking a more attractive way to navigate through the city centre whilst enhancing and increasing public space with more planting.

Some bus stops would relocate to more suitable areas with wider footways for passengers to wait. Bus-only restrictions would look to create more space to improve bus journey time reliability.

Starting at the end of July, the first stage on The Headrow will see the removal of the central reservation. During this time it will remain open in both directions, apart from some overnight works at junctions.

From 1 September 2019, the eastbound carriageway will close and bus routes will relocate. The scheme, undertaken in stages, will be completed by autumn 2020. During construction, some bus stops will relocate to temporary stops on the diversion route.

A number of other changes to existing routes will also take place. Working with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, detailed bus stop and service information for all affected bus routes will be made available at www.wymetro.com.

This is part of Connecting Leeds – aiming to invest £270m in Leeds’ transport network.

To minimise further disruptions the council plans to simultaneously install underground district heating pipes alongside Connecting Leeds works, subject to confirmation of a Government grant award. The council and partners are contacting and informing affected businesses and residents, when the work impacts on them.

Leeds City Council executive member for climate change, transport and sustainable development, Councillor Lisa Mulherin, said: “This multi-million pound investment in one of the busiest streets in our city centre will see huge improvements around The Headrow and nearby streets.

“After declaring a Climate Emergency, the Connecting Leeds scheme contributes improvements to cleaner air, greater public space and reliable public transport.

“As well as creating more attractive and improved public realm, to encourage walking and cycling, the Leeds PIPES district heating works will also enable the connection of homes and businesses, to low carbon heating. These will make a positive contribution to help tackle our climate emergency.

“In the short term, while this work is undertaken, there will inevitably be some disruption. We have worked with bus operators and other partners to limit the amount of inconvenience.

“As we progress the scheme we will aim to keep everyone informed and provide regular updates. We envision the short term inconvenience will be well worth the long term benefits the scheme will bring to public transport, public space and clean air within the city centre.”

Chair of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, Councillor Kim Groves, said: “The Headrow scheme is a key part of transforming Leeds and will see huge improvements for public transport reliability, reducing delays and giving buses priority to easily get through the city centre.

“By improving bus reliability and punctuality, this will help increase public transport use and ultimately improve local air quality.

“We are working with our partners and bus operators to keep disruption during the work to a minimum. Full details of bus services which may be affected will be made available at www.wymetro.com.”