Scheme that will help pedestrians and cyclists move around safer and easier in the city centre enters construction

The scheme, a flagship project funded by the City Region Sustainable Transport Settlement (CRSTS) and partnered with the West Yorkshire Combined Authority, is designed to enhance connectivity, accessibility, and sustainability across southern and northern sections of Leeds city centre.

Starting on 5 January, highways works, delivered by Eric Wright Group Ltd, will upgrade key walking and cycling routes in the city, linking the north and south of the city centre with surrounding communities.  

The northern corridor of the scheme includes: 

• Great George Street from Leighton Street to Woodhouse Lane 
• Great George Street/Merrion Street/Woodhouse Lane junction 
• Merrion Street from Woodhouse Lane to New Briggate 

Work here includes:  

• significantly widening the pavements, which will give pedestrians more space and create opportunities for businesses to have outdoor cafes 
• providing a segregated cycle two-way cycle track along the whole length of the corridor, with links to existing cycle provision, ensuring a safe, separate space for people to cycle
• selective reduction of on-street parking to accommodate wider pavements and the cycle track 
• new or enhanced pedestrian crossings, which will be located on better desire lines, and will be straight-across crossings 
• separated cycle crossings at junctions 
• major enhancements to the Great George Street/Woodhouse Lane junction, which will create a nicer environment and easier places to cross 
• new trees and greenery throughout

The southern corridor of the scheme includes: 

• Kirkgate, Wharf Street, and High Court from Leeds Minster to Shears Yard. 
• The Calls, Call Lane, Swinegate, Concordia Street and Sovereign Street from Shears Yard to Sovereign Street junction. 

Work here includes:  

• widening the pavements, giving pedestrians more space 
• providing a segregated two-way cycle track along the whole length of the corridor, ensuring a safe, separate space for people to cycle 
• new or enhanced pedestrian crossings 
• permanent reduction in number of road lanes from two lanes to one, making space for safer pedestrian and cycling infrastructure

Traffic management on Great George Street between Leighton Street and Calverley Street 

From 5th January, we will be installing a one-way system to Great George Street between Oxford Place and Park Street (Leeds General Infirmary). Traffic will be able to travel west along this short stretch of road during the works. Two-way traffic to Oxford Row will be maintained during this period. The short section of Great George Street between Leighton Street and Park Street will remain open to two-way traffic but traffic signals will be installed. 

To deliver the works at Calverley junction safely and efficiently, we will have to narrow the top of Oxford Place and Great George Street (behind Leeds Town Hall) to one lane running east across the junction with Calverley Street.  

Access to all shops along Great George Street will remain in place throughout the works, and access into Leeds General Infirmary will remain unchanged, however vehicles leaving Thoresby Place will not be able to turn right onto Great George Street. Instead, vehicles will be able to leave the area using Park Street. Please see below. 

Upcoming road closure at Great George Street/Merrion Street/Woodhouse Lane junction 

We will be implementing a temporary road closure on Great George Street between Dudley Way and Woodhouse Lane from 26th January for 11 weeks, enabling accelerated delivery and significant cost savings for the council. We have discussed the road closure with local businesses, and delayed the closure until the New Year to ensure the works wouldn't impact them during the busy Christmas period.

Businesses will be open as usual. Pedestrian, local and emergency access will be maintained. Access to Q Park The Light, CitiPark Merrion Centre & First Direct Arena, Q Park St. John’s Centre and Leeds Cathedral will remain, with signage on site to help direct vehicles.

The scheme also complements wider city centre initiatives such as the Woodhouse Lane Gateway scheme, due to start on site spring 2026, the ongoing works along A660 and Lawnswood roundabout, and the Innovation Village at Leeds General Infirmary.  

Councillor Jonathan Pryor, Leeds City Council’s deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, said: 

“Leeds City Links is the next major transformation to Leeds City Centre. It will create safer, greener, and more inclusive spaces that encourage walking and cycling, helping Leeds’ residents move about in sustainable ways whilst reducing the risk of road deaths and serious injuries in line with our Vision Zero 2040 Strategy, alongside supporting the city’s growth ambitions.”  

Construction is due to complete early 2027 with updates available at the Leeds City Links construction site.