Further road improvements for major Leeds route

The latest phase of a £10m scheme to improve safety on a major road in Leeds will begin on 2 June.

Leeds City Council said there were 172 casualties on the A660 over a five-year period, between 2016 and 2021.

In addition to making it easier for cyclists and pedestrians to use the route, the roadworks are intended to speed up bus journeys between Headingley and the city centre.

The work includes creating segregated cycle tracks, upgrading junctions and changes to pedestrian crossings. The council said the work is due to be completed by the summer of 2026.

The improvements are being funded by a £10.4m grant from Active Travel England, with this phase of work being delivered by Hinko Construction.

It includes delivering a segregated inbound and outbound cycle track on both sides of the road, changing pedestrian crossings outside the Arndale Centre and The Original Oak to toucan crossings, and a major upgrade of junctions at Hyde Park Corner and North Lane.

Other improvements include introducing a 20mph speed limit between Shaw Lane and St. Michael's Road, wider pavements, and continuous crossings at most junctions, upgrading bus stops and shelters, and providing better access to public transport outside the Arndale Centre.

From Monday 16 June, the junction of St. Michael's Road and the A660 will be permanently closed to motor vehicles, with the area being transformed into a public space.

The junction of the A660 with Regent Park Avenue will also be closed to motor vehicles from 30 July, and the existing left-turn road closure from Woodhouse Street to A660 Woodhouse Lane will be made permanent, with greenery and space for outdoor dining.

The council's deputy leader and executive member for economy, transport and sustainable development, Jonathan Pryor, said the A660 was one of the city's busiest routes between north Leeds and the city centre.

"It's important that we make these improvements so it's safer for everyone using it - helping to meet our Vision Zero-strategy goal of eliminating road deaths and serious injuries on Leeds roads by 2040.

"As with any scheme of this nature, there is likely to be some disruption during construction, but we will work to keep this to a minimum - so we are encouraging people to plan ahead when travelling along this route."

The work follows previous phases completed earlier this year.

The council said the majority of works will be carried out between 09:30 and 15:30 on weekdays, and said bus routes would not be affected.

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