Plans to potentially broaden City Centre Vehicle Access Scheme agreed by executive board

A proposal to investigate the possibility of expanding an automated vehicle access scheme to other pedestrianised areas of the city centre has been agreed by senior councillors this week.

As part of a report submitted to Leeds City Council’s executive board on 17 October, 2018, members were given the opportunity to approve feasibility and options appraisals being undertaken to see whether an automated City Centre Vehicle Access System (CCVAS) could potentially be installed in other pedestrianised zones.

This follows work currently being undertaken as part of phase one of the project to introduce an automated rise/fall bollards in main pedestrianised shopping areas of the city centre, which set to be completed in January 2019, will be controlled by an electronic system.

The existing pedestrianised areas, which were initially created in the 1990s, are currently controlled using Traffic Regulation Orders and require regular police enforcement. The introduction of automated rise/fall bollards, assisted by other control measures such as additional street furniture, will help provide a safe, comfortable and enhanced experience for all visitors to Leeds city centre, whilst also ensuring smoother and quicker access for vehicles needing to access these areas for deliveries and other services. This project will also assist continued work of the council and partners to provide confidence and further enhance the safety and security for all people working in or visiting the city centre.

To view the executive board report, please see:

https://democracy.leeds.gov.uk/documents/s181286/City%20Centre%20Vehicle%20Access%20Scheme%20Cover%20Report%20081018.pdf

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

"We’ve been working over a number of years to reduce the number of vehicles moving through what should be a pedestrian area.

"The introduction of this new system will help us achieve this goal, and also importantly further support our continued programme of work to enhance safety and security measures in and around the city centre."

Notes to editors:

The proposal of a CCVAS follows advice from partners including the police, suppliers and other local authorities. The bollards are robust, easy to use and maintain and do not cause an obstruction to pedestrians.