Major transport changes to come during 2023 including Leeds Bradford Airport investment

It has been a year of change for motorists and travellers in Leeds but 2023 is set to bring about a host of changes that will revolutionise city travel for decades to come.

Published 1st Jan 2023, 11:45 GMT

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 the City Square space near Leeds station – which is set to complete in 2023.

The stretch has now been shut to general traffic while work is taking place to create the “much-improved space for pedestrians and cyclists” that will help to improve journey times for public transport in the city centre, according to the council.

Elsewhere a number of new rail stations are set to open and a Leeds Bradford Airport terminal upgrade is also in the works.

Here are the seven biggest transport projects coming to Leeds in 2023.

The site, which sits between Morley and Cottingley on the Transpennine route, sits adjacent to the White Rose Office Park, and close to the White Rose Shopping Centre. Works got underway in 2022 with the new £26m station set to open its doors in 2023, promising to "connect more people with job, training, education and leisure opportunities".

1. New White Rose Rail Station

The site, which sits between Morley and Cottingley on the Transpennine route, sits adjacent to the White Rose Office Park, and close to the White Rose Shopping Centre. Works got underway in 2022 with the new £26m station set to open its doors in 2023, promising to "connect more people with job, training, education and leisure opportunities". Photo: Artist's impression

As part of a year long trial motorcyclists are being allowed to use the A65 bus lanes between Kirkstall and the city centre. The 12-month trial (running until July 2023) aims to support motorbikes as an alternative to car travel on the corridor and improve safety for motorcyclists. Upon completion of the trial a decision will be made on whether to make the change permanent.

2. Kirkstall Road motorbike trial

As part of a year long trial motorcyclists are being allowed to use the A65 bus lanes between Kirkstall and the city centre. The 12-month trial (running until July 2023) aims to support motorbikes as an alternative to car travel on the corridor and improve safety for motorcyclists. Upon completion of the trial a decision will be made on whether to make the change permanent. Photo: LCC

Construction works continue at the key junction to widen the roads and make access easier for pedestrians. Works to construct the carriageway pavement/widening build-up, complete the underground drainage, install traffic signals and new street lighting are due to complete next winter.

3. Armley gyratory improvements

Construction works continue at the key junction to widen the roads and make access easier for pedestrians. Works to construct the carriageway pavement/widening build-up, complete the underground drainage, install traffic signals and new street lighting are due to complete next winter. Photo: Steve Riding

To improve passenger experience and speed up check-in processes, LBA is optimising available space by reconfiguring its Hall A. The work, which is set to complete in the Easter of 2023, will see the installation of 14 self-service kiosks and hybrid self-service automated bag drops, as well as four self-service check-in e-gates.

4. LBA check-in Hall A upgrade

To improve passenger experience and speed up check-in processes, LBA is optimising available space by reconfiguring its Hall A. The work, which is set to complete in the Easter of 2023, will see the installation of 14 self-service kiosks and hybrid self-service automated bag drops, as well as four self-service check-in e-gates. Photo: LBA

As part of work to make City Square more of a ‘”people-first” environment, traffic management works are diverting all through-traffic away from the area. There are plans for permanent closure to traffic in February 2023 and currently, management arrangements only allow access to Wellington Street from Bishopgate Street for buses and taxis.

5. City Square pedestrianisation

As part of work to make City Square more of a ‘”people-first” environment, traffic management works are diverting all through-traffic away from the area. There are plans for permanent closure to traffic in February 2023 and currently, management arrangements only allow access to Wellington Street from Bishopgate Street for buses and taxis. Photo: LCC

Works to ease congestion, increase capacity and enhance safety on the M621 between junctions 1-7 are set to continue into 2023. Included among them is works to improve traffic flow at junction 2. This phase of works will see the carriageway widening around Elland Road roundabout and promises "traffic flow improvements on all slip roads around the junction."

6. M621 motorway improvement

Works to ease congestion, increase capacity and enhance safety on the M621 between junctions 1-7 are set to continue into 2023. Included among them is works to improve traffic flow at junction 2. This phase of works will see the carriageway widening around Elland Road roundabout and promises "traffic flow improvements on all slip roads around the junction." Photo: Tony Johnson

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