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Click here to find out about the completed construction of City Square.

Construction of the scheme

The City Square improvements, as part of the&nbsp;<a class="fr-strong" href="https://www.westyorks-ca.gov.uk/projects/west-yorkshire-plus-transport-fund/leeds-city-centre-package/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">City Centre Package</a>, are being delivered by Leeds City Council in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority.&nbsp; The scheme aims to reduce the volume of traffic in City Square, meaning that more road space can be reallocated to walking and cycling facilities to encourage active&nbsp;and sustainable&nbsp;travel into and from the&nbsp;city&nbsp;centre.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;This will support the council and Combined Authority&rsquo;s&nbsp;objectives&nbsp;of creating a people-first integrated transport network that reduces reliance on car ownership and helps&nbsp;Leeds&rsquo;&nbsp;ambition of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.&nbsp;<h2><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1701279487/projects/60f6c34f6fe9367f19eec0a2/tldkldznuzqsfwyhzyzg.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" data-uw-rm-alt-original=""></h2>Photo credit: Leeds List<h2>Latest phase of works</h2>Construction works around City Square are now complete. Some additional works are required, including the installation of automatic bollards, information boards and seating.&nbsp;&nbsp; Local residents&nbsp;and businesses will be kept informed about the progress of these works.&nbsp;<a href="https://leedscitysquare.commonplace.is/timeline"></a><a href="https://leedscitysquare.commonplace.is/timeline"></a> <a class="fr-strong" href="https://leedscitysquare.commonplace.is/timeline">View the City Square timeline here</a>.&nbsp; <h3>Watch the latest video:</h3><iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/gze3FWcPJuk?si=yjQG68Q_TeVihlLb" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe><h4 id="isPasted"><span class="data-uw-rm-autofix-hide" data-uw-rm-ignore="" style="color: #ffffff!important;background: #000000!important;clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px)!important;clip-path: inset(50%)!important;height: 1px!important;width: 1px!important;margin: -1px!important;overflow: hidden!important;padding: 0!important;position: absolute!important;">Empty heading</h4><h2><span class="data-uw-rm-autofix-hide" data-uw-rm-ignore="" style="color: #ffffff;background: #000000;clip: rect(1px, 1px, 1px, 1px);clip-path: inset(50%);height: 1px;width: 1px;margin: -1px;overflow: hidden;padding: 0;position: absolute;">mptCompleted works&nbsp;&nbsp;</h2>Construction began in September 2022, following two rounds of public and stakeholder consultation in which the overall response was positive.Read about the&nbsp;different phases&nbsp;of works below.&nbsp;<h3>Phase 1:&nbsp;</h3>Phase 1 of the City Square scheme started in September 2022. Preliminary works included:&nbsp;<ul><li style="text-align: left;">Construction on the north-western side of New Station Street and Bishopgate Street&nbsp;</li><li data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props='{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}' data-listid="4">Introduction of the City Square bus gate, meaning general traffic cannot access City Square via Bishopgate Street&nbsp;</li></ul><h3>Phase 2:</h3>Phase 2 completed in winter 2022. This involved re-aligning the road on Park Row to create a cycle lane and wider footways.&nbsp;<h3>Phase 3:</h3>Phase 3 completed in January 2023. This included King Street and Thirsk Row becoming two-way, a new bus gate on King Street and removing vehicular access to Quebec Street from City Square.&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props='{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}' data-listid="1">King Street and Thirsk Row changed from one-way northbound to two-way. The southbound bus gate on King Street running from Infirmary Street to Wellington Street and the southbound bus gate on Thirsk Row from Wellington Street to the Aire Street junction is now in operation&nbsp;</li><li data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props='{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}' data-listid="1">Quebec Street is now closed from City Square. Access will be maintained via King Street&nbsp;</li><li data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props='{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}' data-listid="1">Businesses on Wellington Street between Aire Street and Thirsk Row will still be accessible (for deliveries etc.) by King Street, Infirmary Street and looping around City Square&nbsp;</li></ul><h3 id="isPasted">Phase 4:&nbsp;</h3>Phase 4 completed&nbsp;in May 2023. This included&nbsp;temporarily removing access to Aire Street to allow for traffic to be reconfigured.&nbsp;<h3>Phase 5:&nbsp;</h3>Phase 5 completed in May 2023.&nbsp;&nbsp;<ul><li data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props='{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}' data-listid="11">Aire Street changed from one-way southbound to one-way northbound (towards Wellington Street). General traffic should leave Aire Street and turn left onto Wellington Street&nbsp;</li><li data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props='{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}' data-listid="11">The area outside the Queens Hotel is&nbsp;for&nbsp;the Queens Hotel pick-up and drop-off only&nbsp;</li><li data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props='{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"hybridMultilevel"}' data-listid="11">General traffic can no longer access City Square from Infirmary Street&nbsp;&nbsp;</li></ul><h3>Phase 6: East Parade bus gate now in operation</h3>The East Parade bus gate (South Parade junction) came into effect from June 2023. A section of East Parade and Calverley Street also became two-way to allow diverted motor vehicles to exit the city centre more easily.<ul><li>A section of East Parade from Bedford Street changed to two-way </li><li>Calverley Street changed from one-way northbound to two-way. General traffic can access Calverley Street, Alexander Street and the Town Hall via a right turn from Great George Street </li><li>The 24-hour bus gate on East Parade (South Parade junction) is now in operation. General traffic should turn right at South Parade and exit via Bedford Street.&nbsp;</li></ul><h3>Phase 7:</h3>Completed in August 2023. This included installing permanent traffic signals on King Street.&nbsp;<h3>Boar Lane (completed in spring 2022):</h3>Works to improve pedestrian access from the rail station, cycle routes and the relocation of bus stops.Works included:&nbsp;<ul><li data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props='{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}' data-listid="2">realignment of the southern&nbsp;kerbline, refurbishment of footway areas&nbsp;</li><li data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props='{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}' data-listid="2">new carriageway construction&nbsp;</li><li data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props='{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}' data-listid="2">installation of new bus stop shelters&nbsp;</li><li data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Symbol" data-leveltext="" data-list-defn-props='{"335552541":1,"335559684":-2,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Symbol","469769242":[8226],"469777803":"left","469777804":"","469777815":"multilevel"}' data-listid="2">and changes to four controlled pedestrian crossing facilities within the area&nbsp;</li><li>The works included bus stop changes - in effect from 24 July 2022 - to New Station Street and&nbsp;Bishopgate&nbsp;Street as part of the <a class="fr-strong" data-uw-rm-brl="false" data-uw-rm-ext-link="" href="https://leedscitystation.commonplace.is/" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Leeds Integrated Station Masterplan Scheme</a>.</li></ul><h2>Alternative routes</h2><a class="fr-strong" href="https://leedscitysquare.commonplace.is/proposals/diversion-routes/step1" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Find alternative routes on this page</a>.

Understand the scheme, how journeys will change and view previous feedback.

Previous consultations

<h2>7. How journeys will change</h2>We know that the changes we are making will significantly change how pedestrians, cyclists, bus users and drivers move around the square and the city centre.A key component of our scheme is making the city centre accessible to all users and modes of transport, with a focus on promoting travel by foot, bike, and public transport. This includes improving connectivity for onward journeys and interchange options between different forms of transport, including rail, Park &amp; Ride and bus.The below details some of the key changes for different kinds of journey.<h3>Pedestrians</h3><ul><li>Fewer cars and less congestion means improved safety and air quality, making City Square a more pleasant place to spend time.</li><li>Fewer lanes of traffic and fewer crossing points will provide better routes and roads that are easier to cross. For example, pedestrians travelling between the train station and Quebec Street/Infirmary Street will not cross any lanes of traffic.</li><li>Improved pedestrian routes on Quebec Street and Wellington Street, with widened paths and new surfacing.</li><li>Provision of level pedestrian areas to improve accessibility, with the level of the carriageway brought up to kerb level on City Square.</li></ul><h3>Bus users</h3><ul><li>Improved bus journey times and reliability, as buses will no longer have to compete with general traffic in the area.</li><li>Creation of new bus gates on City Square, King Street, along East Parade and on Neville Street under the Dark Arches (part of another scheme). A bus gate is a signposted stretch of road, on which use is restricted to public transport and (where specified) taxis and other authorised vehicles.</li><li>New bus stop facilities on Boar Lane westbound, complementing improvements to Bishopgate Street.</li><li>Wellington Street will become one-way eastbound between City Square and the junction with King Street, with bus stops relocated to the other side of the road. This will provide bus users with an alternative bus stop close to the train station.</li><li>A new southbound bus stop will be provided on King Street, offering another alternative stop close to the train station.</li></ul> <div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1629281539/projects/fm9doy9vphmilj2bjndo.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="New bus stop facilities on Boar Lane, to be delivered in advance of the main City Square work"> New bus stop facilities on Boar Lane, to be delivered in advance of the main City Square work&nbsp;</div><h3>Cyclists</h3><ul><li>Fewer lanes of traffic and fewer crossing points providing better routes and less conflict with vehicles, increasing safety.</li><li>Provision of dedicated and high-quality cycle paths, including around City Square.</li><li>Improved east-west and north-south connectivity.</li><li>Proposals for cyclists complement the proposed new 700-space secure cycle storage hub at the junction of Bishopgate Street and Neville Street bridge.</li></ul><h3>Drivers</h3><ul><li>Closure of City Square to all traffic except taxis and buses. Drivers travelling to the city centre will still be able to do so via Boar Lane, Bishopgate Street and Mill Hill. These journeys will be easier and less congested, as through traffic will no longer be going via the city centre.</li><li>Existing Blue Badge parking bays will be maintained.</li><li>Directional signage across the city centre will be updated to reflect the routing changes.</li><li>Provision of new Park and Ride sites around the city will reduce reliance on cars when accessing the city centre.</li></ul>Changes to some common journeys are listed below and the plan below shows alternative routes for cars driving into the city centre.<ul><li>For motorway journeys from Junction 3 traveling north-west, traffic will be encouraged to stay on the motorway until the junction 2 exit and travel through Armley Gyratory and along the A58 towards Woodhouse Lane and the north-west. The highways improvements at Armley Gyratory and on the M621 will help make this journey smoother.</li><li>We will also be providing a new means of access for traffic traveling towards Sheepscar, with traffic being encouraged to stay on the M621 until Junction 4 and exiting on the John Smeaton Viaduct on the Ring Road.</li></ul><div class="fr-img-space-wrap"><img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1629218779/projects/gtuluz9ymtl78quxppjp.jpg" style="width: 100%;" class="fr-fic fr-dib"></div><h4>Taxis</h4><ul><li>Hackney carriages will have access through City Square via the bus gates. However, access to Wellington Street/Quebec Street from Bishopgate Street will no longer be via the road in front of the Queen&rsquo;s Hotel, but instead via Infirmary Street and King Street.</li><li>Private hires will not be able to access City Square through the bus gates but will still be able to access the rear of the station to pick up and drop off.</li><li>Access for pick up and drop off at private premises is not affected by our scheme.</li></ul><h4> </h4>

Part 1: City Square Today

Part 2: Our Proposals

<h3 style="text-align: center;">How strongly do you agree or disagree that our proposals will improve the experience of travelling though the city centre for the following methods of transport?</h3>

Cycling Improvements

Our proposals include a number of improvements to how cyclists will travel through the city centre. This includes new segregated cycle lanes, more direct routes for cyclists and new cycle crossing facilities at Boar Lane/Bishopgate. Our proposals will also improve safety by closing City Square to general traffic.

Pedestrian Improvements

Our proposals include a number of improvements to how pedestrians will travel through the city centre, including wider pedestrian routes that cross fewer lanes of traffic and minimising the number of roads that need to be crossed to get around the area.

Bus Improvements

Our proposals include a number of improvements to bus facilities, including new bus stops and bus gates*. We will also improve bus journey times by removing general traffic from City Square, enabling buses to flow more freely.*A bus gate is a signposted stretch of road, along which use is restricted to public transport and (where specified) taxis and other authorised vehicles.

Traffic Improvements

Our proposals include a number of changes to how drivers will travel through the city centre.&nbsp;If your destination is the city centre itself, you will still be able to use your car, but you will no longer be able to pass through City Square. Our proposals focus on removing through traffic from the city centre and increasing usage of the inner ring road through the delivery of enhanced capacity at Armley Gyratory and (in partnership with Highways England) on the M621.

Any other comments?

Alternative routes when travelling around the city including getting to Leeds Railway Station.

Driving into Leeds city centre: alternative routes

Plan ahead - alternative routes

Leeds City Square is now closed to general traffic meaning that only buses, emergency vehicles, hackney taxis,&nbsp;pedestrians&nbsp;and cycle users can access City Square.&nbsp;General traffic (like cars,&nbsp;motorcycles&nbsp;and private hire vehicles) can no longer access City Square.&nbsp; If you&nbsp;do&nbsp;need to drive into the city centre, please be mindful that access to some destinations has changed.&nbsp;Plan ahead&nbsp;to avoid being affected by bus gates now in operation on East Parade, King Street, Infirmary Street, City Square and Neville Street.&nbsp; If&nbsp;you&rsquo;re&nbsp;using a&nbsp;SatNav&nbsp;device,&nbsp;make sure to update the mapping (if required) to avoid being routed via restricted routes where bus gates are now in operation.&nbsp; Access to/from the city centre should be via the Ring Road and then a relevant junction or link. More information and alternative routes can be found below.&nbsp;<h3 id="isPasted">Access and diversion routes</h3>View access and diversion routes, including routes for motorists who can travel to their destination without driving through the city centre. The maps are also easily printable as pdf documents at the bottom of the page. <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1686912367/projects/60f6c34f6fe9367f19eec0a2/wbfxpplkny5fqnv9d1kj.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" alt="plan" data-uw-rm-ima-original="plan">

<h3 id="isPasted">Diversion routes</h3>Motorists who can travel to their destination without driving through the city centre are encouraged to consider a number of diversionary routes.These involve using junctions 4 and 2 of the M621, depending on your destination of travel.<ul><li>Junction 4 - travel along the A61. From there, use East Street to travel into the southern part of the city centre, or follow Marsh Lane to join the A64(M) ring road and access the northern part of the city centre.</li><li>Junction 2 - travel along the A643 including the Armley Gyratory before joining the A58. Use the A58 and A58(M) ring road to access the northern part of the city.</li></ul>Motorists who must use junction 3 of the M621 to travel into the city centre are urged to follow Great Wilson Street and Hunslet Road to join the diversionary route at South Accommodation Road. In all instances, motorists are encouraged to plan their journey in advance and allow extra time, or consider alternative ways to travel like using the <a class="fr-strong" data-uw-rm-brl="false" href="https://www.wymetro.com/park-and-ride">Park &amp; Ride from Stourton, Elland Road or Temple Green.</a><h3 id="isPasted">Parking&nbsp;&nbsp;</h3><h4>Blue badge parking&nbsp;</h4>Blue badge parking is available across the city centre.&nbsp;<a class="fr-strong" href="https://www.leeds.gov.uk/parking-roads-and-travel/blue-badge-parking-and-applications/how-to-use-your-blue-badge" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">Visit this page</a>&nbsp;for more information on where blue badge holders can and can&rsquo;t park and an interactive map highlighting 131 available spaces across 26 locations in the city centre.&nbsp;<h4 id="isPasted">Car parks</h4>It&#39;s still easy to access car parks in the city centre. Use the directions below for routes to car parks. The maps also show diversion routes into the city.

Access to car parks in the city centre

<h3 id="isPasted">Key destinations</h3>Below are directions to key destinations throughout the city. In most instances we&#39;ve provided more than one route depending on whether you would use junction 2 or 4 of the M621.

Maps

City Square alternative routes M621 Inner Ring Road map.pdf

City Square car parks - North.pdf

City Square car parks - East.pdf

City Square car parks - South.pdf

City Square car parks - West.pdf

City Square Diversions.pdf

City Centre route maps_LGI.pdf

Getting to Leeds City Rail Station

Plan ahead - how to drive to Leeds City Station

If you need to drive to Leeds City Rail Station, we encourage you to plan your journey in advance. The drop-off area at Princes Square is shared with taxis and private hire vehicles, and motorists are encouraged to allow extra time for their journey. You can also no longer drive to the station via Neville Street and Bishopgate Street, following changes to the local road network. The pick-up area for passengers is at the multi-storey car park located on Aire Street. If you&rsquo;re waiting to pick someone up, you can make use of the free 10-minute grace period. After that charges apply. To drive to the station:<ul><li>If you are travelling from the M621, use junction 2 and follow the A643 before joining the A58(M) and briefly the A58(M) Inner Ring Road, before leaving to rejoin the A58. Exit the A58 to Wellington Street and follow signs to the Station via Northern Street and Whitehall Road which then becomes Aire Street.&nbsp;This is the red route on the below map. </li><li>If you are travelling from the east of the city, we would recommend joining the A64(M) ring road westbound and continuing onto the A58(M) Inner Ring Road. Exit the A58 to Wellington Street and follow signs to the Station via Northern Street and Whitehall Road which then becomes Aire Street. This is the green route on the below map.</li></ul> <img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1686819413/projects/60f6c34f6fe9367f19eec0a2/xntkkmzpg9clj62uqalg.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib">Bishopgate Street closure to private vehiclesFollowing changes to roads around City Square, private vehicles can no longer drive to Princes Square via Neville Street and Bishopgate Street (the roads immediately outside the station), and past the Queens Hotel. Any private vehicles travelling in this direction will pass through a bus gate and incur a fixed penalty notice. Motorists who need to drive towards the city in that direction (such as via junction 3 of the M621, Meadow Road and Victoria Road) are now being re-routed. After crossing the Neville Street bridge over the river, motorists must turn right at the bus gate onto Sovereign Street before turning left onto Swinegate. At the top of Swinegate you can continue onto Bishopgate Street and then turn right onto Boar Lane (as indicated by the green line on the below map). This allows private vehicles to access Lower Basinghall Street and Mill Hill. Alternatively, on reaching the top of Swinegate you can turn left to exit the city centre via Neville Street.<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/commonplace-digital-limited/image/upload/v1684494293/projects/60f6c34f6fe9367f19eec0a2/l7k82ogxjatxu5ngwkct.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" data-uw-rm-ima="ai-w"> Information about the schemeFor more information about the Leeds City Rail Station scheme <a class="fr-strong" data-uw-rm-brl="false" href="https://leedscitystation.commonplace.is/" id="isPasted">visit this page.</a>

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Construction of the scheme

[Completed] Previous consultations

Driving into Leeds city centre: alternative routes

Getting to Leeds City Rail Station