Plan ahead for Dawsons Corner and Stanningley Bypass summer improvements

Road users are being urged to plan ahead as essential summer highway improvements take place at Dawsons Corner and on the Stanningley Bypass.

Over four weeks, from Monday 27 July to Tuesday 26 August 2026, road repairs and resurfacing will be carried out on the Stanningley Bypass as part of the £44.179m Dawsons Corner and Stanningley Bypass improvement scheme.

To enable this work, traffic management including a contraflow system − where traffic travels in the opposite direction on part of the carriageway − will be introduced on the bypass. This will allow work to be completed safely while keeping traffic moving in both directions.

The works have been scheduled during the school summer holidays, when traffic levels are typically lower, helping to reduce disruption wherever possible. However, delays are expected, particularly at peak times.

Road users can expect:

• Traffic management in place 24/7, including a 30mph speed limit
• Contraflow operating:
  • Southbound: 8pm Monday 27 July to Monday 10 August.
  • Northbound: 5am Tuesday 11 August to Friday 21 August.

• Partial closures during set-up and switch-over periods, with signed local diversions.
• Full overnight closures on Stanningley Bypass near Swinnow Lane for resurfacing on:
  • Monday 24 August (8pm–5am).
  • Tuesday 25 August (8pm–5am).

The following dates are also required for full bypass overnight closures to safely install, switch and remove traffic management:

• Monday 27 July (contraflow installation – southbound).
• Tuesday 28 July (contingency date).
• Monday 10 August (contraflow switch)
• Friday 21 August (removal of contraflow).

This work builds on repairs already carried out over the past four summers, including work to over 140 carriageway repairs along the Stanningley Bypass as part of the council’s annual maintenance programme.

When complete, improvements at Dawsons Corner and Stanningley Bypass will:

• Reduce congestion and delays on a key route between Leeds and Bradford.
• Improve journey time reliability for buses.
• Provide safer crossing facilities for pedestrians and cyclists.
• Support economic growth across West Yorkshire.

Councillor Peter Carlill, Leeds City Council’s executive member for transport and planning, said: “We would like to thank people for their continued patience as work takes place at Dawsons Corner. Good progress is being made, and the scheme remains on track for completion early next year.

"Feedback from residents has generally been very positive, and we thank residents and businesses for providing input into the scheme to ensure we can best work to minimise disruption.

“We carefully plan and coordinate major highways works across the city to minimise disruption wherever possible, including timing this phase during the summer holidays. However, we know there will still be delays and we are asking people to plan ahead.

“From Monday 27 July, anyone travelling between Leeds and Bradford on the A647 or using the A6120 should allow extra time, follow signed diversions and consider alternative routes where possible."

For more information, visit the Dawsons Corner project website:

https://dawsonscorner.commonplace.is/