People that live, work in or visit Leeds are being encouraged to feedback on plans to improve key routes for alternative travel options like walking, wheeling* and cycling.<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/fAQN73yZgFiKKVE87"></a><a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/JVR8AxpPXRGnwgSQ7"></a><a href="https://bit.ly/3LUqFw6"></a> Proposals aim to improve the design of city centre streets, making Leeds an easier place to get around and creating a more welcoming, safer environment for anyone that visits, or travels through the city. The consultation focuses on transformations to the north and south of the city centre, from Great George Street (near Leeds General Infirmary) to Call Lane and Kirkgate (near Leeds Minster) and is part of the council’s ambition to make Leeds a ‘city where you don’t need a car’ to get around, where everyone has an affordable and accessible zero carbon choice in how they travel. In addition to increasing the opportunities for safer and alternative travel, the consultation focuses on improving key areas in the city with pavement widening, space for greenery and opportunities for street cafés. The ‘Leeds City Links’ consultation is part of a wider package of transformational works in the city centre. The closure of City Square has reduced through traffic from the area, which means that surplus road space can be reallocated to safer routes for alternative travel options and spaces to spend time in. Proposed improvements include: •	Widened pavements, making it safer and easier to walk around the city centre •	Safer and easier places to cross the road at key junctions, including the busy Merrion Street junction •	New crossings for pedestrians and cycle users •	Opportunities for street cafés along Great George Street •	Protected cycle track and cycle crossings, making it safer and easier for more people to cycle around the city centre •	Opportunities for improved greenery along the route Residents, businesses and anyone that visits the city are encouraged to have their say on proposals before the survey closes on 19 November. The survey can be completed online at <a href="https://bit.ly/3LUqFw6">this link</a>,or by attending drop-in events at: •	<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/JVR8AxpPXRGnwgSQ7">Leeds Art Gallery</a>on 24 October, 11:00-13:00, and 13:30-15:00 •	<a href="https://maps.app.goo.gl/fAQN73yZgFiKKVE87">Leeds Minster</a>on 1 November, 10:00-13:00, and 14:00-18:00 *Wheeling incorporates many methods for getting around, including using wheelchairs, mobility scooters, walking aids and travelling with a pram or pushchair. This scheme is being developed by Leeds City Council in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1697620252/projects/leedscitysquare/5574c10a-2f5b-4398-8b89-4ad5a9b73674.jpg" />

Have your say on proposals to improve the way you walk, wheel or cycle around the city centre

Major changes will take place to vehicle movement in the city centre, as construction work over the weekend (16-18 June) introduces a new 24-hour East Parade bus gate. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1686834157/projects/leedscitysquare/161911d5-dd4f-435f-ab1f-c34da9537502.jpg" /> The new 24-hour bus gate on East Parade (where its junction meets South Parade) comes into effect from 5am Monday 19 June. After this, only buses, emergency vehicles, bikes and hackney carriages will be able to use the East Parade bus gate. Motorists travelling from the Headrow or passing through the new bus gate north from South Parade, will be in breach of traffic restrictions. Traffic enforcement cameras will start to be activated over the coming weeks; motorists need to plan their journeys appropriately. At the same time, Calverley Street will also see changes from one-way northbound to two-way, for access purposes. It will therefore not be possible for motorists to access The Headrow when travelling southbound on Calverley Street. The roads becoming two-way is a major change and pedestrians should take extra care when approaching and crossing. Map to show access for vehicles avoiding City Square Bus Gates and East Parade <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1686834270/projects/leedscitysquare/25b960ab-3387-4900-9515-e1972cf3df0e.jpg" /> These form part of Leeds City Council plans to make City Square people-first by removing general through-traffic away from the city centre. This work is part of the final phase to complete City Square highways changes by the end of August. From 7pm Friday 16 June along East Parade, South Parade, Bedford Street, and Infirmary Street, a series of night-time lane and road closures will take place. During the final 24-hours prior to the switchover, there will be further closures between 7pm and 5am, with bus and signed vehicle diversions in place. Pedestrian access will be maintained throughout for businesses, residents, and emergency services. <iframe src=https://www.youtube.com/embed/1PzZaFnK4Xs></iframe> Starting on Tuesday 20 June, for five weeks Yorkshire Water will be carrying out deep sewer replacement works on Great George Street. All city centre works are co-ordinated to minimise delays and Yorkshire Water delayed their works until the bus gate was finished. This will mean lane closures and traffic management, with motorists urged to plan ahead and to allow more time for their journeys. City Square works started in September 2022, with the initial closure of City Square to through traffic. Works have continued around the area including closing to traffic the Quebec Street access to City Square. In January King Street and Thirsk Row became two-way, to facilitate vehicle and bus movements. Current works are taking place at the junction of Aire Street and Wellington Street, as well as to the south of City Square in front of the Queens Hotel pick up and drop off area. More details about the phased changes can be found here <a href="https://leedscitysquare.commonplace.is/proposals/the-changes/step1">https://leedscitysquare.commonplace.is/proposals/the-changes/step1</a>

Plan ahead for new traffic restrictions along East Parade from Monday 19 June

Major changes are taking place to vehicle movement in the city centre, as construction work begins to introduce a new 24-hour East Parade bus gate, coming into operation on 19 June. Works starting on 15 May will also see changes to a section of East Parade to make it two-way to traffic. Calverley Street will also see changes from one-way northbound to two-way. It will not be possible for motorists to access The Headrow when travelling southbound on Calverley Street. <iframe src=https://www.youtube.com/embed/1PzZaFnK4Xs></iframe> This final phase will see: <li>East Parade to have a new 24-hour bus gate (South Parade junction), coming into effect from 19 June. Only buses, hackney carriages, bicycles and emergency vehicles will be able to access East Parade bus gate. Work will also include changing a section of East Parade to make it two-way (from Bedford Street) to allow diverted motor vehicles to exit the city centre more easily.</li><li>Infirmary Street bus gate will be reinstated. Only buses, hackney carriages, bicycles, and emergency services will be able to access the Infirmary Street bus gate.</li><li>Calverley Street will change from one-way northbound to two-way. Because of the existing left and right banned turn movements from the Headrow, and the new bus gate at the top of East Parade, only buses, hackney carriages, bicycles, and emergency services will be able to access Calverley Street from its junction with the Headrow. The new two-way operation will allow access to Calverley Street, Alexander Street and the Town Hall to general traffic via a right turn from Great George Street.</li><li>Delivery access arrangements will change. Deliveries will need to come in from Wellington Street through the traffic lights and do a three-point turn at little King Street and head back out the way they came in between 19 May and week commencing 12 June. After this they will then be able to come up Aire Street northbound.</li><li>The Queens Hotel will have a pick-up and drop-off area created within City Square for limited access only managed by the Queens and the council. This will mark the completion of works in August.</li> East Parade Bus Gate – 18 June <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1683888237/projects/leedscitysquare/c83b46c7-8853-4f52-9316-8654edc7a56f.png" /> Completed changes to Calverley Street 18 June <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1683888409/projects/leedscitysquare/f04acbca-1a8c-49ff-aa52-b8a49eefe1c0.jpg" /> City Square works started in September 2022, with the initial closure of City Square to through traffic. Works have continued around the area including closing to traffic the Quebec Street access to City Square. In January King Street and Thirsk Row became two-way, to facilitate vehicle and bus movements. Current works are taking place at the junction of Aire Street and Wellington Street, as well as to the south of City Square in front of the Queens Hotel pick up and drop off area. More details about the phased changes can be found on the project website Have Your Say Today - Construction - Leeds City Square (commonplace.is). Leeds City Station Works around City Square including the closure of New Station Street by Network Rail are being co-ordinated and planned. The council does everything it can to co-ordinate works with these stakeholders. The timing of these phase of works has been planned to coincide after major city events have taken place, such as the Rob Burrows marathon. May 19 will see the northern section of New Station Street, from the station’s main entrance towards City Square closed to pedestrians to allow Network Rail to carry out essential maintenance work to reinforce the Mill Goit underground structure beneath the street which supports much of the station above it. Also due to the closure of New Station Street, the station’s taxi rank will be moved to Princes Square from Thursday (18 May), affecting private hire and hackney carriage services. Pedestrians will be able to walk towards Boar Lane from the station’s main entrance by turning right and travelling along the other side of New Station Street. To access City Square, Infirmary Street, Park Row and Wellington Street, pedestrians are advised to use the station’s northern entrance (opposite the Majestic building). Pedestrians walking to the south bank area of the city can do so by following New Station Street onto Boar Lane and looping back onto Mill Hill, or by using the station’s southern entrance (open between 6am and 10pm). Details on accessing the station are available on the project website Have Your Say Today - Leeds City Rail Station - Commonplace. Impact on buses From 18 June, there’s also changes to some bus routes affected by these new layouts and people will need to check with West Yorkshire Metro ahead of travel.

City Square enters final phase of construction from 15 May 2023

City Square is a busy thoroughfare for pedestrians, cyclists, buses, and cars - as a result, the square and the area around it is often congested, meaning drivers and bus users experience delays at peak times. The City Square scheme aims to reduce the volume of traffic in City Square, while maintaining access to key destinations via other appropriate routes.

Find out more and have your say!

Leeds City Square

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