Leeds council launch Blue Badge holders map to help disabled drivers navigate city centre roadworks

The disabled parking map shows the on-street locations where Blue Badge holders can park, with 111 spaces allocated across 21 different locations in the city centre.

How to access the spaces and the direction of travel to them is shown on the map in blue, while the exit routes are shown in yellow.

Everyone registered with the council as a Blue Badge holder will also receive a link to an online version of the map and can request a physical copy of the map.

The second map shows which roads have restricted access and at what times. Where there are no restrictions at any time, roads are shown in green.

However, others including The Headrow, Vicar Lane and Call Lane restrict access to certain road users at specific times of the day.

For example, a large section of Vicar Lane is restricted to only buses, hackney carriages and cycles between 7am – 10am and between 4pm – 7pm.

Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council executive member for infrastructure and climate, said:

“Since the Connecting Leeds programme started in 2018, our city has seen unprecedented transformation and we have all had to get used to new routes and a new way of moving around.

"The major changes have been essential in ensuring buses, pedestrians and cyclists have priority over general traffic whilst the city still remains a place that everyone can access easily, especially blue badge holders.”

New restrictions will be enforced by cameras and Penalty Charge Notices will be issued for infringements. Some of the restrictions are already being enforced.

Cameras for several of the new restrictions will be activated over the coming months and the public will be notified when new cameras are to be activated.

All funds from this will be reinvested into making improvements to the Leeds transport network.

The maps have been created following discussions with stakeholders, to help ensure people can find their way around the city centre during the ongoing major improvements.

These changes are part of the £173.5million Leeds Public Transport Investment Programme as part of Connecting Leeds, that aims to dramatically improve public transport and cycling and walking infrastructure across Leeds.

It has been shaped from public consultations including the Transport Conversation in 2016, the City Centre consultation in 2018 and consultations on the Headrow and Corn Exchange improvements in 2019.

In these consultations, members of the public asked for:

Priority for buses, pedestrians and cyclists above private vehicles

The retention of access routes to city centre public car parks and delivery routes for businesses

Easy access for blue badge parking

Bus gates to increase the reliability of buses travelling through the city centre

Enforceable and meaningful restrictions for private vehicle users

Access maintained to important Leeds landmarks such as the first direct arena, the universities, Leeds General Infirmary, and Leeds Playhouse.

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