Your Leeds local election 2018 A to Z: Alwoodley

THE CANDIDATESBuckley, Neil Alan '“ Conservative PartyCohen, Dan '“ Conservative PartyHarrand, Peter Mervyn '“ Conservative PartyHendrickson, Claude '“ Labour Party Jackson, Brian '“ Alliance for Green SocialismKhan, Mumtaz Ahmed '“ Labour PartyMoss, Miriam Leontine '“ Green PartyParker, Roderic '“ Liberal DemocratsWhite, Keith Michael '“ Labour Party

Alwoodley is often cited as one of the most affluent areas of the city, and it contains some of the most expensive homes in Leeds.

However the north Leeds suburb is also home to large numbers of working-class families. As one of the candidates hoping to be elected to the ward at next month’s local elections told the YEP, while the suburb has “areas of affluence”, it also has “areas of quite significant challenge”.

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The big issue occupying the minds of many residents at the moment is a proposal to turn the A61 road into a single carriageway for private cars, to make way for a bus priority lane. Locals fear the knock-on effect on the area’s already-congested roads could be monumental. Gareth Poole, who chairs the Cranmer Residents’ Association, fears the move would “cause massive congestion” and will lead to “chaos”.

Part of the wider concern is that there is an assumption people will abandon their cars to use the bus. But Mr Poole said there were already problems with buses not turning up, and he has co-organised a number of meetings with the city’s bus operators to discuss the issue. A parent to four school-age children himself, Mr Poole said a lack of school places was a worry for local families. Referring to the much-talked-about Roundhay ‘black hole’ in primary school places, he said the knock on effect on schools in Alwoodley was already being felt, with local families – including his – unable to get first choice places.

Road safety is another bugbear for local families, and parts of the suburb can become a “rat run”, Mr Poole said. Families want more enhanced road-safety measures. They are also campaigning for improved facilities at the three local play areas. In fact, keeping Alwoodley “family friendly’ seems to be at the forefront of the minds of many voters in the area – and candidates should take note.

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