Your Leeds local election 2018 A to Z: Crossgates and Whinmoor

THE CANDIDATESAlexander, Harvey Cedric '“ UKIPFellows, Elizabeth Susan - Green Party Grahame, Pauleen Margaret - Labour Gruen, Peter John - Labour Hayes, Paula - Conservative Lennox, Jessica Beth - Labour Maniatt, Mark Stephen - Democrats and Veterans Party Martin, Andrew Stuart - Conservative Morgan, Peter - UKIPNicholson, Stuart Neil - For Britain Schofield, Dorothy - Conservative Shakespeare, Thomas Andrew - Lib DEMSWalker, Janette - East Leeds Independents Party

Crossgates and Whinmoor - Key issues and numbers

Traffic is a major talking point for voters in the east of the city.

The huge East Leeds Extension, an expansive development which has been in discussion for many years, will bring with thousands of new homes,

The Cross Green Incinerator, a landmark on the approach to the East Leeds Extension area. Picture: Simon Hulme

“There is lots of traffic in and around Cross Gates. We know that there is more house building to come,” one candidate says. When the Manston Link Road is completed, it will be separate - and complementary to - the big East Leeds Orbital Road (ELOR) a £100m Government-backed scheme designed to unlock development.

Spots like Coal Road already take a lot of through-traffic, and the anticipation is that any new house building will ultimately increase this. That is why local campaigners have been demanding assurances that no major development will start proper until the traffic implications are addressed.

People in Cross Gates sit at the very heart of the plans, and will want reassurances that they will get the benefits, and not just the hangover.

The former munitions factory site at Barnbow is one of the key sites earmarked for development.

Another issue of concern at a localised, residential level is the council’s rollout of 20mph speed limits zones. Part of a long-term citywide project, the final phases are now due for completion. On the whole, residents are happy with the concept, but they want to know how the limits will be enforced. Large parts of both Crossgates and Whinmoor are going to be subject to the new limits.

Elsewhere the Red Hall playing field campaign is gathering pace, and is no doubt on the radar for all of the candidates bidding to be elected.

The site off Wetherby Road was formerly the council’s plant nursery.

That has now been moved to a spot near Whinmoor cemetery. Demolition is imminent on the nursery outbuildings, and campaigners want to preserve the site for community use as playing fields.

What will win your votes in Crossgates and Whinmoor? Email [email protected].