New plans revealed to improve key city centre location

The latest, updated plans have been released to transform The Corn Exchange City Centre Gateway, in Leeds.

The city council’s Connecting Leeds team is consulting on transport plans which cover an area around The Corn Exchange and adjoining streets, including Call Lane, Lower Briggate and Meadow Lane.

The aim is to improve bus reliability and ensure these vehicles can navigate easily through the city centre. It also will enhance the quality of the city centre by increasing public space and improving walking and cycling.

Connecting Leeds said last summer’s feedback on the initial concepts for the City Centre Gateways had been “positive”.

Around 76% of those who responded, supported The Corn Exchange scheme. The newest proposals are designed to address bus service reliability, cycle safety, accessibility, pedestrian comfort, more greenery and quality of the public realm.

Some bus stops will be relocated to better areas with wider foot-ways for passengers to wait. Bus-only restrictions will be put in place to create more space and be extended to improve bus journey time reliability.

The Corn Exchange scheme is intended to help increase public transport use, in line with the council’s target of doubling the number of bus users in ten years.

Local businesses, residents and general public can have their say on the proposals online by visiting: https://leedscitycentretransport.commonplace.is/overview​ by 4 November.

An event to share the new designs, plans and improvements to Leeds Bus Station, will take place 3.30pm to 7.30pm on Monday 14 October, at The Corn Exchange. Other opportunities to view these plans are available, with events at Leeds Bus Station from 10am to 1pm on Tuesday 22 October, and 3pm to 6pm on Thursday 24 October.

The plans cover investment to improve the heart of the city centre with the work scheduled to complete by March 2021. They include: The Corn Exchange and Call Lane; Vicar Lane; Lower Briggate and Duncan Street; Swinegate junction; New York Street, York Street and Kirkgate; Bridge End and Leeds Bridge; Meadow Lane; Boar Lane.

Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate change, regeneration, transport and planning, Councillor Lisa Mulherin, said: “Enabling more people to use public transport, cycling and walking are an essential part of helping to tackle our climate emergency.

“These plans show huge improvements for public transport reliability, reducing delays and giving buses priority to easily get through the city centre.

“They will also make it easier for people to move about by foot or by bike. We’re also keen to see what people think about proposals for more car free public spaces and outdoor recreation. Our aim is to transform our city into a greener and more attractive place, with fewer vehicles and cleaner air, for everyone’s benefit.”

Councillor Kim Groves, chairman of the West Yorkshire Combined Authority Transport Committee, said: “These proposals for a wide area around the Corn Exchange are designed to attract more people to use city centre buses by making services more reliable and punctual.

“Increasing bus patronage and reducing congestion in the city centre will also help meet the Combined Authority and its partners’ commitment to improving local air quality and tackling climate change.

“I would encourage everyone to have their say on these widespread improvements around the Corn Exchange, as well as plans to transform Leeds Bus Station either online or by coming to one of the planned drop-in events.”