£1.7m plan to permanently close Leeds city centre street to traffic

A £1.7m scheme to transform Cookridge Street into a new permanent public open space was approved by Leeds City Council's executive board on Wednesday.

->These busy Leeds roads will be CLOSED for World Car Free Day 2019It’s part of the continuing Headrow Gateway plans, which aim to dramatically alter the flows of traffic running through the city centre.

During the summer months, since 2016, Cookridge Street has been the successful home to the 'pop-up park',

It has been 'well received by the general public and more so by children and families', according to the council.

The new Cookridge Street is set to include five raised green landscaped areas with trees, shrub planting and grassed lawns; seating areas, new lighting and a rain garden; a new two-way cycle route running north-south through to Park Row and City Square; and the possibility of a new street cafe.

-> Why air pollution is killing 7 million people every yearThe street will close permanently to all vehicle traffic in autumn 2020, with the works complete by March 2021.

Leeds City Council executive member for climate change, transport and sustainable development councillor Lisa Mulherin said: "After the successful pop-up park over the last three summers, we're going to make this permanent and create a new city centre car free public space.

"It will show 'Our Spaces' are places that are welcoming, accessible and well connected, to be used and enjoyed by everyone. By becoming vehicle free, we are supporting a healthier, livable and greener city, which is what people want in the 21st Century.

"The new Cookridge Street public realm will provide opportunities for people to be active, play and rest – with cleaner air quality. And for communities to come together and meet, ultimately making the cultural offer of the city more attractive for our residents, visitors, and businesses."