Next phase of Connecting Leeds consultation to get underway

The next phase of public consultation on measures to help transform transport and travel in and around Leeds starts this week.

A series of public drop-in sessions are to begin this Saturday on proposals for the A660 and A61 South bus routes to introduce new infrastructure and measures to improve bus journey times and service reliability.

The proposals also seek to maximise the space and efficiency of the road network, offering enhanced cycling and walking provision as well as improving air quality through reduced congestion.

The plans include longer and new bus lanes, smart traffic signals and new junction layouts to help keep buses moving, especially during peak travel times.

The measures are part of Connecting Leeds, the new transport strategy for the city being delivered by Leeds City Council working with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, partners and stakeholders to improve all aspects of the transport network in Leeds and connecting to the wider Leeds City Region.

Enhanced bus travel is a key element of the strategy, with the target set of doubling the current 250,000 bus trips made in the city per day within 10 years. The next round of consultation, which runs until 27 July, focuses on the A660 route from Adel to Leeds, via Lawnswood and Headingley, and the A61S from Leeds to Wakefield, via Stourton and Hunslet.

A consultation session will also take place next month on the possible expansion of the Elland Road Park & Ride service, which has been a great success since its introduction now being used by more than 500 cars a day.

The consultation also asks for views on improvements to bus infrastructure which would see bus stops upgraded with enhanced seating, real-time information displays and maps. Public spaces are also proposed to be improved to make for more attractive and greener areas around the stops.

To see the details of the proposals and to give your views on them visit www.leeds.gov.uk/connectingleeds

This second round of consultation follows on from phase one held earlier this year on proposals for the A61North, A58 and A64. More than 4,500 responses were received, which are currently being analysed and will help shape the plans as they develop.

Leeds City Council executive member for regeneration, transport and planning Councillor Richard Lewis said:

“The response to the first round of consultation was very pleasing so now we are moving on to the A660, A61 South and the Elland Road Park and Ride and it would be great to see as many people as possible attend one of the drop-in sessions or give us their views online to help us shape these plans.

“Connecting Leeds is an ambitious strategy that we want everyone in the city to be part of, working together to make our city’s transport network as fast, efficient, reliable and green as we can. Investing in infrastructure and making public transport more attractive are the keys to bringing that about, delivering a city that is well connected, fully accessible and welcoming to all, so we look forward to hearing people’s views on these plans.”

Details of the public consultation events are as follows:

Notes to editors:

The vision set out for Connecting Leeds is to deliver a transformational stepchange in the transport network and connectivity in Leeds and the wider region, helping to support and bring people, places, jobs, learning and leisure closer together. This will be achieved through improvements to road, rail, bus, park and ride, cycling and walking services and infrastructure, reducing congestion and improving air quality and accessibility in Leeds along with utilising the latest technology innovations.

It has been developed from the feedback received in the biggest-ever transport conversation held with residents, businesses, stakeholders and visitors in the city which included more than 8,000 people taking part in a survey in 2016.

For more information go to www.leeds.gov.uk/connectingleeds or @ConnectingLeeds on twitter or through Leeds City Council’s Facebook page.

ENDS

For media enquiries please contact:

Roger Boyde

Leeds City Council communications,

Tel: 0113 378 9164

Email: roger.boyde@leeds.gov.uk