The multi-million pound Connecting Leeds scheme aims to turn Leeds into an environmentally sustainable city where in years to come residents will not require the need for a car. One of the largest alterations has been to pedestrianise the City Square space near Leeds station – which is now into the final stages of completion.
Elsewhere essential maintenance work was carried out on the historic Grade II listed Harewood Bridge, which carries the A61 Leeds to Harrogate Road across the River Wharf at Harewood, including waterproofing, resurfacing and foot path repair works. While work continues on the long running Armley Gyratory works.
Here are 6 key Leeds roads and routes that have undergone major changes in 2023 - and 9 still to happen...
7. Still to come - M621 improvements
After permanently closing the M621 junction 2a westbound exit slip road in June, work continues to ease congestion, increase capacity and enhance safety on the M621 between junctions 1-7. Photo: National Highways
8. Completed - Dyneley Arms junction
Overnight road surfacing works at the Dyneley Arms junction were completed in July. This is the second of three planned weekend closures between July and September. Photo: LCC
9. Still to come - Apperley Road
Apperley Road, between Apperley Lane Bridge and Harrogate Road Bridge, has now shut for a period of six months. The key route connecting Leeds and Bradford is shut ahead of flood prevention works. Photo: Google/LCC
10. Completed - Otley Bridge
Otley Bridge reopened in July following a brief closure as an inspection of defects and safety investigation was carried out. The ancient seven span stone bridge and Scheduled Ancient Monument is almost 800 years old. Photo: LCC
11. Still to come - Average-speed cameras
From Autumn, Leeds City Council will install the first permanent average-speed cameras in West Yorkshire, which will be located on the A6120 Outer Ring Road and the A647 Stanningley Bypass, and form part of the Connecting West Leeds scheme. Photo: LCC
12. Completed - East Parade bus gate
From June, a new 24-hour bus gate was introduced on East Parade (where its junction meets South Parade). After this, only buses, emergency vehicles, bikes and hackney carriages will be able to use the East Parade bus gate. Photo: LCC