Bridgewater Place wind scheme moves forward

Work to ease high winds around Bridgewater Place in Leeds is set to take a step forward next month when a series of specially designed wind baffles are installed at the foot of the building.

Between Friday October 13 and Sunday October 22, three of the structures will be erected over Water Lane. Roads will be closed between these dates and diversion signs will be set up to help drivers use alternative routes.

The delivery of the wind baffles will also require some out-of-hours work, with deliveries to the site scheduled to take place at night on October 15, 17 and 18 October.

It is hoped that the work will be completed by Sunday 22 depending on weather conditions.

Leeds City Council has agreed that the road closure can be extended, if necessary, until Sunday October 29.

Graeme Atkinson, project manager at the site, said: “Following the completion of preparatory works earlier this year, we’re now ready to get started on the next stage of the project: installing the wind baffles. These impressive, wing-like structures are perforated in order to deflect and reduce the speed of wind as it passes through and over them.

“Unfortunately, this means we will need to close Water Lane while the wind baffles are delivered and installed. There will also be some night-time work to facilitate deliveries.

“I appreciate that this may cause some inconvenience for those living and working nearby and would like to thank everyone for their patience in advance. Please be assured that we will do everything we can to ensure disruption is kept to an absolute minimum, particularly during the out-of-hours deliveries.”

Following the installation of the wind baffles, Water Lane will be reopened, though there will be some lane closures as the team resurfaces the road.

Work will then continue on the wind mitigation project, which is scheduled to be completed in April 2018.

Access to both Bridgewater Place and HBoS will be unaffected by the works, and the residential and commercial car parks at Bridgewater Place will remain open.