Connecting Leeds newsletter
1 March, 2021
Vicar Lane opens in both directions for buses for first time in over 50 years
On Sunday 21 February, Vicar Lane opened in both directions to buses. The reopening marked the first time buses have travelled northbound on Vicar Lane since the road was closed to one way traffic in 1964.
Northbound buses that normally travel up New Briggate will divert to Vicar Lane, which will be open to buses and taxis only during peak periods. The council proposes to make the southbound lane open to buses and taxis only during the day-time south of Harrison Street.
This will make it possible to close the lower section of New Briggate to traffic later this year which will provide an opportunity to further enhance the pedestrian experience. When this happens, access to the upper section of New Briggate will be retained via Harrison Street, which will reopen later this year.
Bus stops on New Briggate will no longer be served and services will permanently move to Vicar Lane. The services affected by these changes are: 2, 3, 3A, 7, 7A, 7S, X7, 11, 11A, 12, 13, 13A, 36, 843
Details of all the services affected are available on the WY Metro website.
 An early artist impression of Vicar Lane, Leeds
Have your say on the Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy
Covid-19 has changed the way we live our lives, from how and where we work to how we spend our leisure time. We simply don’t know what the long term impacts on business and individual travel behaviour will be, but we do know that people need to be connected and have access to opportunities.
The Connecting Leeds Transport Strategy lays out a vision for Leeds where walking, cycling and green public transport become the most appealing, practical and best value choices.
We want to hear from you about your future transport needs, what you think about our strategy, and what actions we should be considering going forward – have your say and help shape the future of travel in Leeds. Find out more here.
Updated plans have been revealed to show how Armley Gyratory could look
We have just published an update on our proposals for Armley Gyratory, which can be viewed on our website.
The information available on this page outlines how and why proposals have been updated since they were last shared in 2019.
The proposed improvements aim to:
• provide pedestrians and cyclists with more appealing and accessible routes around the gyratory;
• increase safety for all road users;
• improve the operation of the junction, allowing traffic to flow more freely, which will minimise traffic impacts on local roads
• improve the local environment through new landscaping; and
• facilitate improvements elsewhere in the city, including at City Square, by creating capacity for traffic displaced from those locations.
A planning application for our proposals is due to be submitted in summer 2021. Although we are not accepting feedback on the revised design at this stage, there will be an opportunity for comments on the proposals later on during the planning process.
 Armley Gyratory
Major milestone hit on the Connecting Leeds Headrow scheme as first trees are planted
A major milestone has been hit on the Connecting Leeds Headrow scheme today as the first trees were planted on Dortmund Square.
The semi-mature trees, which were planted by Leeds City Council’s parks and countryside team, are the first of 32 which will be planted across the scheme. There will be a net gain of 90 trees once all three city centre projects are complete next year.
The trees have been planted in special ‘tree pits’ which are the size of a shipping container. This means the roots won’t push up out of the pavement and the tree has a greater chance of survival. Using this system provides a strong, stable base which will support the new, wider pavements in the city centre, meaning they won’t sink over time. Only 50% of trees reach maturity if not planted correctly.
 The Leeds Children's Mayor, Cllr Rafique and Programme Executive, Sabby Khaira planted the trees on The Headrow
An update on Stourton park and ride
Stourton park and ride is progressing well despite the inclement weather of recent months. Works are progressing in all zones within the main site, with bulk earthworks and drainage now complete, the vast amount of ducting nearing completion and block paving ongoing across the site. Excellent progress has also been made by EVO Energy on the steel solar canopies, roofing and installation of solar PV units.
Works to the terminus building continue and the service corridor has been completed which will connect the terminus building to the outside world.
The highway elements of the scheme are also progressing well with recent progress including carriageway widening on the A61, the new contraflow section under the M621 overbridge, carriageway widening by the motorway off slip and further widening by the A329/A61 merge.
Watch our animation to find out more.
Temple Green Expansion
Enabling works have started on the Temple Green park and ride site to prepare for the expansion from 1,000 parking capacity to 1,391 spaces.
The expansion will include an additional 6 electric vehicle charging spaces making 20 in total on site. Currently the park and ride facility is being used as one of Leeds Covid-19 test centres.
Temple Green park and ride opened in 2017 and has been very popular, often at capacity most week days (pre- Covid-19). Since opening in June 2017, almost 340,000 cars have used the site resulting in approximately 2.2 million car km taken off the road between M1 Junction 45 and Leeds City Centre.
This has helped relieve congestion, improve noise and air quality, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions along the route.
The expansion is due to be complete in winter 2021.
For updates on the project visit our website.
|
