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Construction of the scheme

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Construction of the scheme

The City Square improvements, as part of the City Centre Package, are being delivered by Leeds City Council in partnership with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority. 

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 and sustainable travel into and from the city centre.  

This will support the council and Combined Authority’s objectives of creating a people-first integrated transport network that reduces reliance on car ownership and helps Leeds’ ambition of becoming carbon neutral by 2030. 

Photo credit: Leeds List

Latest phase of works

Construction works around City Square are now complete. Some additional works are required, including the installation of automatic bollards, information boards and seating.  

Local residents and businesses will be kept informed about the progress of these works. 

View the City Square timeline here. 

Watch the latest video:

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mptCompleted works  

Construction began in September 2022, following two rounds of public and stakeholder consultation in which the overall response was positive.

Read about the different phases of works below. 

Phase 1: 

Phase 1 of the City Square scheme started in September 2022. Preliminary works included: 

  • Construction on the north-western side of New Station Street and Bishopgate Street 
  • Introduction of the City Square bus gate, meaning general traffic cannot access City Square via Bishopgate Street 

Phase 2:

Phase 2 completed in winter 2022. This involved re-aligning the road on Park Row to create a cycle lane and wider footways. 

Phase 3:

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.  

  • 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 

  • Quebec Street is now closed from City Square. Access will be maintained via King Street 

  • 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 

Phase 4: 

Phase 4 completed in May 2023. This included temporarily removing access to Aire Street to allow for traffic to be reconfigured. 

Phase 5: 

Phase 5 completed in May 2023.  

  • 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 

  • The area outside the Queens Hotel is for the Queens Hotel pick-up and drop-off only 

  • General traffic can no longer access City Square from Infirmary Street  

Phase 6: East Parade bus gate now in operation

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.

  • A section of East Parade from Bedford Street changed to two-way

  • 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

  • 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. 

Phase 7:

Completed in August 2023. This included installing permanent traffic signals on King Street. 

Boar Lane (completed in spring 2022):

Works to improve pedestrian access from the rail station, cycle routes and the relocation of bus stops.

Works included: 

  • realignment of the southern kerbline, refurbishment of footway areas 

  • new carriageway construction 

  • installation of new bus stop shelters 

  • and changes to four controlled pedestrian crossing facilities within the area 

  • The works included bus stop changes - in effect from 24 July 2022 - to New Station Street and Bishopgate Street as part of the Leeds Integrated Station Masterplan Scheme.

Alternative routes

Find alternative routes on this page.

Artist's impression of City Square
Artist's impression of City Square
Artist's impression of City Square