Thousands of motorists use the Leeds Inner Ring Road everyday to get across the city. Yet few will be aware of the untold story of how the project was hindered by delays, controversy and everything in between. It was devised in the 1950s, started in 1964 and yet only completed in the 2000s. Today we use photos from the YEP archive to bring that story to life. READ MORE: York Road in 29 photos - A snapshot of life on this busy east Leeds route through the years
19. Leeds inner ring road
Danger spot? Traffic emerging from West Street comes blindly onto the inner ring road. Pictured in July 1975. | YPN Photo: YPN
20. Leeds inner ring road
The western end starting from the bottom left near the old railway roundhouse, crossing the canal and the River Aire to the centre of this photo where the Wellington Street and Kirkstall flyover is nearing completion. | Peter Thacker Photo: Peter Thacker
21. Leeds inner ring road
Stage four in the Great Wilson Street and Meadow Lane area and stage five, which included a westbound flyover at the Woodpecker junction linking York Road with the Inner Ring Road, waited until the late 1980s and early 1990s. | YPN Photo: YPN
22. Leeds inner ring road
Councillor John Trickett at the cutting of the first sod for the new extension of the Leeds Inner Ring Rosd at the Woodpecker junction in April 1990. | YPN Photo: YPN
23. Leeds inner ring road
Stage seven continued the road's tradition for excellence as it features the 500-yard John Smeaton Viaduct made up of steel beams weighing over 2,200 tons in total. Pictured in September 2008. | Matthew Page Photo: Matthew Page
24. Enjoyed this story and gallery?
Share your memories with Andrew Hutchinson via email at: [email protected] or tweet him - @AndyHutchYPN | YPN Photo: YPN