Link road to boost economy
A £32m link road into a major Yorkshire city is set to be unveiled with those behind it claiming up to 27,000 jobs could be created over the next 15 years thanks to its strategic location.
The East Leeds Link Road could open up around 400 hectares of development land and almost 11m sq ft of new employment floorspace in the Aire Valley, according to Leeds City Council.
Located to the south east of the city centre, Aire Valley Leeds will see land opened up to development when work on the £32m road is complete.
The road will connect Leeds city centre to the motorway network via junction 45 of the M1 and a number of businesses including specialist print packaging company Robertsmart and carpet wholesaler Mercado have already relocated to purpose built premises at Thornes Farm in anticipation of the road’s completion.
Planning permission has also been granted on major development sites fronting and adjoining the route of the new road. Muse Developments has planning permission for more than 1.5m sq ft of warehousing and industrial space on the 50 acre Logic Leeds site.
Templegate Developments also has planning permission for 1.2m sq ft of offices on 40 hectares of a 72 hectare site adjacent to junction 45 of the M1.
Temple Green, a further site adjoining the link road owned by Templegate, has outline consent for 3m sq ft of warehousing and industrial premises.
Leeds City Council believes the road has the potential to significantly boost the region’s economy when the dual carriageway is completed within the next few months.
Cllr Andrew Carter, deputy leader of Leeds City Council and executive board member for city development, said: “Aire Valley Leeds promises to lead the city’s economic development over the next 10 years with a million square metres of employment space creating up to 27,000 jobs.
“The link road will open up this new commercial powerhouse for the city, connecting it direct to the motorway network and bringing major new development and inward investment opportunities.
“Despite the current economic difficulties, Leeds is looking to the future and Aire Valley Leeds will have a major role to play in generating growth and prosperity for the city and the wider region.”
Peter Beaumont, chairman of the Aire Valley Leeds investors forum, said: “The opening of the new link road has been long awaited and really signals the start of the next phase for the Aire Valley in Leeds.
“The scale of the opportunity, the ongoing activity to deliver environmental improvements and the key sites that will provide the homes and jobs that the city needs now and into the next decade, will be clear for all to see.”
Cllr Carter and MP Hilary Benn MP will unveil new road signs at the East Leeds Link Road on Friday.
