Number of Leeds railway station users unmoved despite lockdown restrictions

Figures released by Leeds City Council via the Datamill North website actually show average daily numbers increased slightly from August to the first 18 days of October.

This was despite the authority introducing local lockdown measures on September 25, which were designed to further prevent households mixing and spreading the virus.

According to footfall figures released by the council, an average of 30,416 people per day were recorded using Leeds Rail Station in August. In the first 18 days of October, that number had risen to 31,317.

Although numbers using the station dropped slightly immediately following the local lockdown announcement, the amount of people in the station rose again in October.

Lockdown measures were introduced in Leeds on September 25, making it illegal for one household to visit another in their home or garden, while Leeds City Council also advised households not to meet in public places.

This was soon changed to the Government’s current tiered lockdown system, which saw Leeds placed in Tier 2. It meant restrictions were simplified to allow households to meet groups of up to six in outdoor public spaces.

These restrictions were in addition to the continuing national ‘rule of six’ and 10pm curfew rules which were introduced during September.

Leeds City Council last week said it had warned the Government about the economic impact of Covid-19 restrictions, as talks continue over future restrictions in the North of England.

The latest publicly available data from Leeds City Council shows the infection rate in the city stood at 523.0 per 100,000 as of Wednesday, October 21.