Work to combat Bridgewater Place wind issues underway

Work to combat the effects of strong winds around Bridgewater Place, Yorkshire’s tallest building, is underway.

About 100 yards of Water Lane at the foot of the skyscraper is to be closed until May to  allow engineers to construct baffles that deflect strong gusts away from street level.

When there are high winds roads are closed near the 32-storey skyscraper as a safety measure.

High winds around the building were blamed for the death of Dr Edward Slaney, who was killed when a lorry blew over in March 2011.

Contractors for CPPI Bridgewater Place, the building’s owners, are to erect three sail-like structures across Water Lane as well as screens and canopies.

The large screens and baffle boards will be up to 50ft (17m) high and 66ft (20m) long.

The plans were approved by Leeds City Council in November 2014 and the work is expected to take 16 months to complete.