by Ian Rosser
A £165m plan has been drawn up to tack le motoring misery for thousands of Leeds drivers
As part of the scheme, the entire A6120 outer ring road would be made dual carriageway from Pudsey to Seacroft. A bypass of Seacroft and Cross Gates would also be built, plus a new link road to Leeds-Bradford airport.
The plans have been developed in response to increasing congestion on one of West Yorkshire's busiest roads. Almost 40,000 vehicles a day use the route, which is largely single carriageway with regular tailbacks at junctions at Horsforth, Lawnswood, Moortown and Cross Gates.
Details of the scheme have been revealed in a paper to Leeds City Council's executive board, which will discuss the plans next Wednesday.
Development director Jean Dent's report claimed benefits would include "improved road safety, enhanced movement and reduced congestion".
She said some costs could be reimbursed by the Government, and a phased programme would be likely to tackle existing hotspots at Horsforth and Cross Gates first.
It would also have to take into account a high-level review taking place in light of the Government's decision not to fund Supertram and the effect on people living near the routes.
The need for a survey of the current route was identified in July 2001 in the council's local transport plan.
The two and a half-year study by private consultants has suggested alternatives including a £41m project to retain the existing single carriageway roads but to upgrade junctions. A more wide-ranging alternative also includes a single carriageway Seacroft bypass and airport link road at a cost of £94m.
But the £165m scheme would see a dual carriageway from Dawson's Corner on the outskirts of Pudsey, right through to just south of Shadwell 10 miles (16km) away. There, it would continue as the Seacroft bypass, turn south and pass Scholes before rejoining the A6120 at Junction 46 of the M1 between Austhorpe and Garforth.
The scheme also includes investment in public transport including park and ride systems and better facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.
Details of the proposals have emerged just weeks after the Government gave the go-ahead to the £32m East Leeds Link Road project. from junction 45 of the M1 through Cross Green to the Inner Ring Road.
ian.rosser@ypn.co.uk