Animation shows how £16million Connecting Leeds project will improve A647

The main focus of the scheme is to introduce new bus lanes in key locations to ease congestion. Giving buses priority along key routes will make journeys quicker and help to free up lanes which will in turn benefit all vehicles, including cars.  Bus journey times are expected to reduce by 7-8 minutes on average during the peak periods, and by up to 15 minutes in comparison with the most delayed services.

Cycle infrastructure in the area will be improved by adding to the existing Cycle Superhighway and through the creation of safer cycle lanes. Pedestrians will benefit from new walking routes and safer crossings.  All of which is a bid to make sustainable travel more appealing by improving public transport, walking and cycling connections and in turn contributing towards tackling the climate emergency.

After consulting on travel improvement plans along this route in 2018, Leeds City Council appointed BAM Nuttall to undertake construction. Work to construct the new bus lane on Armley Road started in October, and activities have since commenced on Armley Park Road, Canal Road, Pickering Street and Stanningley Road.

The scheme is set to be complete by summer 2022.

For more detailed plans, visit the website.

Councillor Lisa Mulherin, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate change, transport and sustainable development, said:

“Connecting Leeds have carried out extensive consultation along this corridor with stakeholders, residents and businesses and following feedback the start date was postponed to take people’s concerns in to consideration and allow several design changes to accommodate people’s suggestions.

“I am pleased to see that this important scheme has now progressed to the next phase of delivery and we are one step closer to making this key route less congested, more accessible and more appealing for pedestrians, cyclists and bus users.

“Improving our bus network and making bus use, walking and cycling an attractive, viable option for people travelling in to our city and around their local neighbourhood is absolutely vital in our bid to tackle the climate emergency, reduce carbon emissions and improve air quality.”

BAM Nuttall’s Project Director, Andy Crampton said:

“BAM Nuttall is, once again, delighted to be working with our partners in Connecting Leeds, collaborating to deliver this next phase of transport infrastructure. Reducing congestion on the busy A647 corridor will bring sustainable benefits to road users, businesses and residents.”