Major traffic switch at Dawsons Corner – road users urged to plan ahead

Road users are being urged to plan ahead this week as significant work takes place at Dawsons Corner as part of a major upgrade of the junction.

A major traffic switch will take place from 11pm on Friday 24 April until 5am on Monday 27 April, during which time there will be full weekend closures of the Ring Road Farsley (A6120) and Bradford Road (B6157). The two‑way traffic routes of Bradford Road (A647) and Stanningley Bypass will remain open.

In the run‑up to the weekend, from today Monday 20 April to Friday 24 April, there will be an eastbound lane closure on Bradford Road (B6157). Access to New Pudsey train station and Owlcotes Shopping Centre will be maintained throughout the works.

Fully signed vehicle and pedestrian diversions will be in place, and people travelling through the area are advised to allow extra time for their journeys.

Last month, Leeds City Council released new visualisations showing how Dawsons Corner will look once the major upgrade works are complete. The improvements aim to reduce congestion, improve safety and create better routes for all road users at this key gateway into the city.

Construction began in May 2025 to upgrade the junction at Dawsons Corner (A647/A6120). The scheme forms part of the council’s Connecting Leeds transport strategy, helping to maintain and improve the city’s Inner and Outer Ring Roads, supporting future growth and providing smoother, more reliable journeys.

Dawsons Corner connects two of Leeds’ most important transport routes, with around 57,000 vehicles and 1,200 pedestrians and cyclists travelling through the junction each day, underlining the need for long‑term improvements.

To keep disruption to a minimum, the council’s programme takes account of other roadworks and major events across the city and will be adjusted where possible. The council works hard to prioritise, plan and co‑ordinate complex schemes to ensure as little disruption as possible across Leeds’ busy road network.

A Leeds City Council’s spokesperson, said:

“We are carrying out major construction work to enlarge the junction, making it safer and more reliable for everyone who uses it. These improvements are vital not only to improve traffic flow and air quality, but also to support future housing and economic growth.

“The traffic switch taking place between 24 and 27 April marks a significant milestone in the project, with noticeable changes to how people access the Ring Road (A6120) and Bradford Road (B6157). We have written to thousands of local residents and businesses to make sure they are aware of what to expect.

“We appreciate that this work will cause disruption, and we ask people to plan ahead, allow more time for their journeys, follow the signed diversions and be patient as everyone adjusts to the new layout. Thank you to everyone for their continued understanding while these improvements are delivered.”

The Dawsons Corner upgrade is scheduled to be completed in early 2027. Updates on the scheme are available via Connecting Leeds social channels and at: https://dawsonscorner.commonplace.is/