West Leeds residents can have their say on a £20 million scheme to reduce traffic congestion and encourage other modes of travel on the A6120 Leeds Outer Ring Road between Pudsey and Horsforth.
Leeds City Council has launching a public consultation on the first stage of the proposed Connecting West Leeds scheme, which was approved for funding by the government last month.
Proposals aim to reduce peak-time congestion and delays on the Outer Ring Road, between Dawson’s Corner in Pudsey and Fink Hill in Horsforth.
The measures also aim to improve the infrastructure for pedestrians and cyclists and linking the surrounding communities including Horsforth, Rodley, Calverley, Farsley and Stanningley, with alternative travel choices.
The proposed improvements will also maximise other – separately funded – schemes at Dawson’s Corner, and part-fund the improvements at Horsforth’s Fink Hill junction at Broadway, which is due on site in the spring.
Overall proposals include:
- A proposed footbridge will link into Calverley Lane, which leads onto Calverley Millennium Way footpath, as well as connecting the villages of Calverley and Farsley.
- Easing congestion at Horsforth roundabout through an extension of the southbound merge on the A6120 towards Rodley.
- Improvements for pedestrians and cyclists between Horsforth and Rodley, joining the controlled crossings at the Rodley and Horsforth roundabouts.
- A new ramped link for pedestrians and cyclists to the Leeds/Liverpool canal towpath, a busy cycle route to/from Leeds’ urban areas and Apperley Bridge. It’s hoped this will increase accessibility from Horsforth and Farsley.
- Planting and landscaping improvements along the Connecting West Leeds corridor.
The consultation is being split into two phases.
Phase one of the consultation, starting today, looks at the scheme between Horsforth and Rodley. This includes: The overall Connecting West Leeds corridor, with the detail on proposals north of the river; Fink Hill, Horsforth Merge and the Horsforth to Rodley cycle link.
Phase two of the consultation, starting next year, includes: Calverley Lane footbridge, Dawsons Corner to Rodley foot and cycle link, Rodley Roundabout, Calverley Lane North, and foot and cycle canal connection.
Councillor Helen Hayden, Leeds City Council’s executive member for infrastructure and climate, said:
“The Connecting West Leeds programme will bring important, positive changes to the transport network in Horsforth and Rodley, improving traffic flow and the reliability of public transport while at the same time providing safer options for pedestrians and cyclists, which encourage more active travel.
“The proposed changes will also help reduce pollution by reducing peak-time congestion, contributing to our efforts to cut carbon and become a net-zero city by 2030. I would encourage the local community and everyone who uses these roads to take part in our consultation and help shape these improvements.”
Anyone interested in learning more and commenting on the proposals can do so in several ways.
The dedicated webpage connectingwestleeds.commonplace.is contains full details of the proposals, and comments can be provided by following the ‘have your say’ link.
A public drop-in event is also being held at St Margaret’s Church Hall, Church Lane, Horsforth, between 2pm and 7pm on Wednesday 24th November 2021.
The public consultation will run for four weeks, with a deadline on 12 December 2021.
The scheme was put forward by Councillor Andrew Carter, (Cons, Calverley and Farsley) and Pudsey MP Stuart Andrew. Cllr Carter told WLD last month:
“As we draw up the final details for this scheme, we need to be aware that it will link into the already government funded re-modelling of Dawson’s Corner roundabout, which is also at capacity at peak times. We must also try to ensure that we don’t jeopardise any future plans in the distant future for other improvements.
“We now must make sure that the scheme is properly consulted upon and that it achieves its objectives.
“If you like, it is a case of “Back to the Future”. In my youth we were all able to walk safely from Calverley to Farsley and enjoy the various walkways between the two villages. I hope we can achieve this again.”