Essential Leeds Inner Ring Road maintenance works to start

Essential maintenance works on retaining walls along the Leeds Inner Ring Road will begin next month, as part of a long-term programme to protect and maintain one of the city's most important transport routes.

The overnight works between 7pm and 5am, located between Woodhouse Tunnel and Woodhouse Lane, are due to start on Tuesday 1 September. They are expected to take around 15 weeks, finishing in November 2026.

The scheme is the first phase of a wider programme of structural maintenance on the Inner Ring Road, helping to ensure the route remains safe, resilient and reliable while continuing to support Leeds growth and transport network.

The Inner Ring Road carries more than 90,000 vehicles every day. It plays a vital role in helping traffic travel around the city centre, and avoid unnecessary ‘through journeys’, supporting the council's wider Connecting Leeds ambition to create a greener, healthier and more people-focused city.

Overnight retaining wall repairs that support sections of the highway, will help keep a key Leeds route safe and reliable for years to come. Many of these structures were built more than 50 years ago and are approaching or exceeding their original design life. Carrying out planned maintenance now will help extend their lifespan and reduce the risk of more significant repairs being needed in the future.

To minimise disruption for people travelling during the day, the majority of the work will take place overnight using temporary traffic management, including lane and road closures where required.

Councillor Peter Carlill, Leeds City Council's executive member for transport and planning, said:

"The Inner Ring Road is one of Leeds most important transport routes, carrying thousands of journeys every day and helping traffic avoid some of our busiest city centre streets.

"Many of the structures supporting the route were built decades ago and now require investment to ensure they remain safe and reliable for the future.

"These works are about taking a planned approach to maintaining our infrastructure, reducing the risk of more substantial problems developing in the future. It will help avoid emergency repairs and unplanned closures, which can cause much greater disruption for road users.

"The Inner Ring Road has a key role to play in supporting Leeds wider transport ambitions, and this programme will help ensure the route continues to serve residents, businesses and visitors for many years to come.

"We appreciate there will be some temporary disruption while the repairs are carried out and would like to thank people for their patience and understanding."

Protecting a vital route

The repairs are part of a wider strategy to maintain and strengthen key structures along the Inner Ring Road. Further phases are planned across other sections of the route are to be scheduled.

Subject to funding approvals, the next phase of works is expected to begin in early 2027, continuing the council's programme of preventative maintenance and infrastructure improvements.

Some future schemes may involve larger structures and more extensive traffic management arrangements. The council will work closely with residents, businesses and stakeholders to provide advance information and help people plan their journeys when those works are ready to be delivered.

Traffic management and travel advice

A programme of overnight closures and lane restrictions will be required to allow the repairs to be carried out safely and efficiently. Signed diversion routes will be in place where necessary.

Motorists are advised to plan ahead and allow extra time for journeys while the works are taking place.

Further information, including details of traffic management arrangements, will be available via the Connecting Leeds website and communications channels.