Councillors approve £1.7m car free public realm in heart of city

Senior Leeds councillors agreed to a flagship £1.7m Cookridge Street scheme to transform this road into a permanent public open space.

Since the launch of ‘Our Spaces Strategy’ this is one of the largest areas of public realm set to be delivered by the council. Councillors approved the scheme at their latest Executive Board meeting.

The Cookridge Street design is based on principles for a public space offering seating, tree planting, rain gardens, incidental play, cycling and street cafes for everyone to enjoy.

The proposals for Cookridge Street show: Five raised green landscaped areas with tree, shrub planting and grassed lawns; Timber faced seating areas, new lighting and rain garden to aid surface water; New paving in keeping with the proposed works on the Headrow; A two-way cycle route running north-south through to Park Row and City Square; A drop-off point and opportunities for external café/seating space being created, by the Radisson Blu Hotel.

The permanent closure of Cookridge Street is intended to contribute to a reduction in emissions in this area of the city centre and a related improvement in air quality.

As the construction takes place, Cookridge Street will close for all vehicle traffic in autumn 2020, with the works due to be complete by March 2021.

Leeds City Council executive member for climate change, transport and sustainable development, Councillor Lisa Mulherin, said: “Cookridge Street is one of our flagship and largest transformational ‘Our Spaces’ schemes.

“After the successful pop-up park over the last three summers, we’re going to make this permanent and create a new city centre car free public space. It will show ‘Our Spaces’ are places that are welcoming, accessible and well connected, to be used and enjoyed by everyone. By becoming vehicle free, we are supporting a healthier, livable and greener city, which is what people want in the 21st century.

“The new Cookridge Street public realm will provide opportunities for people to be active, play and rest – with cleaner air quality. And for communities to come together and meet, ultimately making the cultural offer of the city more attractive for our residents, visitors, and businesses.”

For more information about how the Cookridge Street transformation fits into the Leeds Our Spaces strategy, visit www.leedsourspaces.co.uk